THE Yorkshire pointing season continued last weekend at Witton Castle where the Cleveland hunt staged its annual meeting.

For the second time in a row, John Dawson struck up a double, along with Cherry Coward, who also trained two winners on the day.

John’s double started in the opening Hunt Members’ race aboard Mickey Miller. The pair looked to have the race put to bed, but had to work hard to fend off the fast-finishing Kilclispeen, who was showing his first signs of form this season, while Bellringer ran respectably back in third.

Dawson also took the closing Confined race aboard the progressive Eden Collenge, trained by Cherry Coward, who made good progress to lead two out and stay on well to beat the pacemaker Absainte, who’s string of victories came to an end.

The Ladies’ Open was an exciting finish between the “tough little mare” Wizadora and Ballinahow Bill. Wizadora, who with rider Kate Lowcock’s novice rider’s claim and her mare’s allowance was carrying just over 10 stone, galloped on relentlessly and fended off the favourite under Lottie Crane.

The PPORA race, for horses aged nine and upwards, would go the way of Abbeyview who was having his third victory of the season and put up an effortless display in what was by far the fastest time of the day, piloted by Laura Fenwick.

Although riding well all season, it was a slight relief for rider Lottie Crane to win the Open Maiden race aboard her father’s Caviar d’Allen. The pair travelled strongly and stayed on well to win. Teescomponents Boy and Phil Armson filled second.

The Men’s Open saw a resurgence of form from Sposalizio under Tom Strawson, who bounded clear from four out to win.