The Tivyside Hunt point-to-point races returned to north Pembrokeshire and the excellent Cilwendeg course at Boncath in March.

The two pony races scheduled for the morning had to be cancelled, but with the grassed circuit almost colourless due to the late spring, the racing itself proved excellent, with a number of very close finishes to excite the sizeable crowd.

The event was devoid of any form of mishap to horse or jockey, and was particularly successful for Tenby jockey John Mathias, who won three races and came second in two others, claiming the Lough Neagh trophy, donated by the Bacon family, of Cilgerran.

There was delight for joint master Rob Humfrey when his eight-year-old gelding Wheedle was ridden to glory in the members’ race by his son George.

A particularly close result was in the men’s open in which Minskill Man beat the 10-11 on favourite, Makena, by a short head.

There were other exciting finishes in the confined race, won by John Mathias on Rosie’s Peacock at odds of 6-1 and the restricted which saw Lucy Jones triumph on Off the Shelf at 8-1.

Members: 1st Wheedle (George Humfrey); 2nd Bizarre Native (Isobel Thomsett); 3rd Lawyer des Ormeaux (D. Griffiths). Confined: 1st Rosie’s Peacock (John Mathias); 2nd Silver Story (Rhys Hughes); 3rd Pathian Prince (Josh Harries). Intermediate: 1st Rith Bob (John Mathias); 2nd Brennanstown (Rhys Hughes); 3rd Brave Lad (Isobel Thomsett). Men’s open: 1st Minskill Man (N. Williams); 2nd Makena (John Mathias); 3rd Esters Boy (M. Byrne). Ladies’ open: 1st Cannon Bridge (Isobel Thomsett); 2nd Oca de Thaix (Polly Whittaker); 3rd Naughty by Nature (Jodie Hughes). Restricted: 1st Off the Shelf (Lucy Jones); 2nd Rimini (John Mathias); 3rd Duggans Forge (Jodie Hughes). Maiden: 1st Lydstep Hills (John Mathias); 2nd Jimmy Bedney (Marc Barber); 3rd Cranemore (Isobel Thomsett).