SUNDAY saw the beginning of the Point to Point season in the West Wales Area held at Lydstep, where the winner of the first race came from Clarbeston Road trainer Rob Luke, writes Maria Evans.

Anger Management is a former Rebecca Curtis trained six year old, who has switched disciplines after disappointing under rules. Luckily for the horse’s new connections, this different practice seemed to suit the horse, who won the Intermediate Race with ease under jockey Evan David.

The second race was the first Maiden of the day, which saw eight mares and fillies go to post. The Dai Rees trained Awesome Bella proved that she was an awesome find by connections, making all under Wayne Maskill – she was another who failed to show much under rules. The Maiden for horses and geldings was won by Our Differences for trainer and rider Mathew Barber, in what was a patient ride on his second run of the season. David Brace’s Knight Blaze came out on top in the mares and fillies Club Members race, in what was arguably a lucky victory. The Sirrell Griffiths trained Misty Sails was just joining the winner when she ran out at the last, with Mathew Barber on board what looked a difficult ride.

On paper the Mixed Open looked to be a competitive race, where although only three went to post, the calibre seemed classy. Karen Bowen’s Gullible Gordon was ridden by son Sean but never travelled throughout the race and was pulled up with just under a circuit to go. That left the prolific Rosie’s Peacock and hunter chaser Tiermore left, where Rosie’s Peacock began to draw clear 3 out, winning by 25 lengths in the end, in what was his 19th Point to Point win.

Gullible Gordon’s disappointment was made better by the success of Bob’s Law in the Novice Riders race, under first season jockey Sean Bowen. In what was an eventful race made by a loose horse, Bowen did well to avoid a faller caused by the riderless Meleeha. Street Dance was the unlucky one to hit the deck, when cruising out in front. Bobs Law was hampered by the faller and did well to recover and come out on top.

The final race of the day saw the closest finish of the day, where the eventual winning distance between the only two finishers was a nose. Minellaformarriage made all from start to finish and came out victorious, with the winning post coming just in time. Grianan Fidh and Rachel Leyshon managed to make up 15 lengths between the second last and the winning post and although was finishing the strongest was just held on the line.

The next Point to Point in the West Wales area is the South Pembrokeshire Hunt meeting on Easter Monday, April 21.