THE I.J.F. Charity Race, which preceded Sunday’s point-to-point meeting at Barbury racecourse, threw up a local winner as First Mohican, trained by Alan King, whose National Hunt stables are just a stone’s throw from the course, triumphed.

Liz Ampairee sent the favourite to the front down the back straight and they showed their rivals a clean pair of heels to provide the Wiltshire-based rider with a well-deserved success.

Runners came from far afield to contest the six point-to-point races and the spoils were evenly spread throughout the regions.

The most impressive performance of the day was provided by Executive Benefit and Gillian Crow in the Men’s Open.

Accompanied by Brackloon High, they had their rivals at full stretch going out into the country for the final time.

They matched one another stride for stride over the next four fences until Executive Benefit began to get the better of the argument in the home straight.

The leader began to hang right between the final two fences but Crow soon had her back on an even keel.

Cheshire trainer Joe O’Shea relayed the commentary over his mobile phone to owner Richard Hewitt but the stable’s hopes of landing a double were thwarted when Cottage Oak was down on his nose at the 16th in the Novice Riders race.

Charlie Hammond did well to retain the partnership but that mistake took its toll and they were passed by Pateese at the penultimate fence.

Essex-based Berties Dream had been equally impressive in the Ladies Open earlier in the afternoon.

Ali Sterling and Tinelyra were prominent throughout this contest but were unable to respond when Gina Andrews sent the favourite to the front half a mile from home The opening Connollys Red Mills Intermediate provided the race of the day.

As they straightened up for the judge, Jeremy Mahot steered Rye Cross through on the inside of his rivals and quickly opened up a clear advantage.

The leader’s stride began to shorten approaching the last but he started off up the run-in with a race-winning lead.

However, the five lbs he was conceding to his rivals proved decisive as Minella for Party got up in the final strides to grab victory from the jaws of defeat.

Dave Mansell is one of the more senior jockeys on the point-to-point circuit and he put that experience to good use when landing the Jockey Club Mares Maiden on Rose of Milan.

What about Molly led the field around the final bend but Mansell was poised on their heels and asked his mount for a serious effort approaching the second from home.

The mare responded immediately and was level with two rivals at the last before quickening clear of them on the flat.

Tom Lacey and Sam Drinkwater have a virtual monopoly in two-and-a-half mile Maidens and their dominance is such that any runner from the trainer’s Ross-on-Wye base is usually sent off favourite for this type of contest.

Kelsey was no exception to that rule and the four-year-old looked as though he would continue the stable’s good run as Drinkwater produced his mount to take a share of the lead between the final two fences.

Peter Mann and Brake Hill had other ideas though and were able to repel their rivals’ challenge up the long run-in.

RESULTS

Intermediate: 1 Minella For Party (Miss H. Watson) 3-1, 2 Rye Cross, 3 Dunloughin (IRE). 10 ran.

Mares Maiden: 1 Rose of Milan (D. Mansell) 5-1, 2 Brids Classic, 3 What About Molly. 13 ran

AGA Ladies Open: 1 Berties Dream (Miss G Andrews) 2-1 Fav, 2 Tinelyra, 3 Latest Trend. 10 ran.

Mens Open: 1 Executive Benefit (G Crow) 5-2 jt fav, 2 Brackloon High, 3 Hi Vic. 14 ran

Novice Riders: 1 Pateese (T Humphries) 8-1, 2 Cottage Oak, 3 Sivola De Sivola. 17 ran

Two-and-a-half mile Maiden: 1 Brake Hill (P Mann) 16-1, 2 Kelsey, 3 Royalzaro. 11 ran.