Well suited to horses used to hunting across open country, the splendid course at Trecoed proved equal to all challenges for the Pembrokeshire Hunt Point to Point Steeplechases -one of the best supported events of the West Wales sporting calendar. Unlike last year, when the day was very hot, conditions were dry, overcast, but with good visibility and the thousands of enthusiastic supporters present - young and old - enjoyed a delightful social occasion and a lovely family outing. On occasions such as this it certainly pays to arrive early for the best races of the day were undoubtedly the first two on the card. In the Members race, 17-year-old Lee Evans, of Camrose, made the winning post on Huntsman Gary Barber's 15-year-old bay gelding, Derring Dove, to win by a length over Mali Thomas's Admiral Brown. The second, the Restricted, finished even closer as Colin Warner's 14-1 outsider, Top Commander, with Tim Houlbrooke on board, came from behind to win by just half a length over the fancied Eastwell Violet, ridden by Mark Lewis. James Tudor, in contention for the season's national jockey championship, drew level with injured Richard Burton after winning both the Men's Open and the Open Maiden races and being placed in two others. Hunt chairman, John Davies, expressed his committee's most sincere appreciation to the Miles family for ensuring the course was again in first class condition, the many willing helpers who assisted in any way, the generous sponsors who made the racing worthwhile and everyone else who contributed to a truly memorable day. Happily there were again no serious incidents affecting either horse or rider to mar the enjoyment of the occasion and the last two fast and furious scurry races, for ponies and young riders, fully tested the endurance of mount and jockey over an undulating course without jumps. Results:

STEEPLECHASES

Members (sponsored by Beverley Thomas Training, Puntingbud Farm): 1. Derring Dove (L. Evans) 6-1; 2. Admiral Brown (T. Houlbrooke) 3-1; 3. Titchfield (K. Yates) 6-4 fav. Five ran. Restricted (Mr. and Mrs. David Shervington): 1. Top Commander (T. Houlbrooke) 14-1; 2. Eastwell Violet (M. Lewis) 5- 1; 3. Devil's Teardrop (J. Tudor) 4-5 fav. Seven ran. Men's Open (Lewis & Thomas Agricultural Contractors): 1. Seanie the Smuggler (J. Tudor) 2 -1, finished alone. Two ran. Open Maiden (W. F. Hall & Sons, Haulage Contractors): 1. Innisam Storm (J. Tudor) 6-4 fav; 2. Little Wich (P. Stevenson) 7-1; 3. Missoudun (R. Hughes) 10-1. 10 ran. Ladies Open (Greens Motors): 1. Longstone Boy (I. Tompsett) 3-1 fav, finished alone. Two ran. Intermediate (Pembrokeshire Care Ltd): 1. Hume Theatre (R. Hughes) 5-4 fav; 2. Silent Two (J. Tudor) 7- 4; 3. Grey Kid (K. Yates) 6-1. Four ran.

PONY RACES

13.2 hh and under (Castlemorris Feeds): 1. Calelvader Serendu (Richard Patrick); 2. Scoveston Lizzie (Emily Evans); 3. Chester (Dan Muscroft). Four ran. 14.2 hh and under (Castlemorris Feeds): 1. Oak-K (Robyn Howell); 2. Tommy's Girl (Daniel Aldridge); 3. Rhapsody Lady (Ceri Evans). Four ran.