THERE was a large turnout for the Banwen Miners Point to Point at Resolven, where one man stole the show with a four timer, writes Maria Evans.

The first leg of John Mathias’ achievement came in the Confined Hunt for his uncle Richard on Doctor Henry. The eight year old was given a patient ride by Mathias before making headway four from home, going clear over the last, with Points of View in second, and favourite Dunraven Price back in third. The Mens Open followed, were Mathias, onboard the prolific West Walian horse Rosie’s Peacock came out on top. The horse looked back to his old tricks however, when getting loose coming out of the paddock, but luckily he didn’t go far, and Mathias was able to get a leg up again with no problems. This was the horse’s 20th victory to date – some achievement for a Point to Point horse, and credit must go to his owner and trainer David Llewellyn.

Mathias’ third victory came in the Intermediate Race, where Nishay once again came out an impressive winner, with both horse and jockey surviving a blunder when jumping two from home. He was an easy winner with 12 lengths separating him and favourite Tiger Rag back in second. His final win of the day came in the final race of the day, when Gale Force Lucey, who has been knocking on the door all season, came out victorious in the second division of the Maiden. In another patient ride, the pair won by 2 ½ lengths to Darragh Skelly and Kims Quest, with Deer Park back in third. Russian Empire is another who has been going close all season, and in the first division if the Maiden the six year old finally got the victory that he deserves, under regular pilot Chris West. It was arguably a lucky victory, with favourite Mister Hendre unseating jockey Sean Bowen at the last when ½ a length up, but either horse looked like they could seal a win coming into the fence.

The Hunt Race saw three horses go to post – the biggest field the race has had in many a year, and favourite Billy Congo and Nicky Williams were easy winners beating the only other finisher, Late Red by 25 lengths. Angela Rucker and Sagalyrique came from Worcestershire to win the AGA Ladies Open, in what was a close finish with Jodie Hughes and Pathian Prince. Coming into the last fence they were neck and neck, but a better jump from the winner, helped to seal victory. Wiston Dreamer topped off a dream week for trainer Rob Luke and jockey Evan David. The pair, who had a winner at Cheltenham mid-week, sent Wiston Dreamer out the 8/1 winner of the Restricted Race in their usual front running style. They beat Once in a Lifetime by only ½ length, in what was the closest finish of the day, with the well fancied Dream Bolt back in third.

There is a three week break until the last West Wales Point to Point of the season, which will be held at Trecoed on Sunday, May 25.