Dai Rees, of Clarbeston Road, and jockey John Mathias were in unstoppable form at the Vale of Clettwtr point-to-point on February 6th.

The pair took both divisions of the maiden races. John, who was last season’s area champion male jockey, is now employed full-time by Dai Rees, after completing his education at Pembrokeshire College, gaining a national diploma in mechanical engineering.

Dai’s first division winner Rith Bob was sent off the even money favourite. The mare began to tire and wander badly between the last two fences and it took strong handling from Mathias to get her home three lengths in front of Isobel Thompsett and Leprechaun’s Gold.

The second division winner, French purchase Rimini, was led into the last by favourite Cool Cliché and Isobel Thompsett, but Mathias was ready to pounce, putting Rimini to lead at the line by a length.

Owner and trainer Jessica Jones, aged 19, of Carmarthen, achieved a unique milestone meeting when she welcomed her horse Pussigny into the winner’s enclosure, 50 years to the meeting that her grandfather Trefor Jones trained his first winner at the Pencader track.

Ridden by her father Dai, Pussigny was winner by a distance of the opening hunt members race.

Another landmark 50 came up later in the afternoon when Isobel Thompsett rode the 50th winner of her career with Chestnut Annie in the ladies open.

Six went to post in the men’s open race, with the odds-on favourite Warsaw Pact winning by a distance.

In the restricted race, despite some dubious tail swishing from three out, Oca De Thaix came home under a determined Rhys Hughes to win by two lengths from Pathian Prince and John Mathias.

The gelding is trained by Robert Luke, of Clarbeston Road, and employer of Oca De Thaix’s owner Charlotte Evans, who is currently training for her NVQ2 in racehorse care and management. Charlotte hopes to be in the saddle herself later in the season.

In the confined race, Up There, confounded recent form by registering a four length win over Twilight Dancer.