Record bank holiday crowds of supporters and enthusiasts from across South Wales and the West Country are assured to turn up in their thousands each year for the South Pembrokeshire Hunt Point to Point steeplechases, and this year was no exception. Held at Lydstep on Easter Monday, this major attraction and true family day out with probably an all-time record gate - certainly the largest sporting event of the year in Pembrokeshire - was again an outstanding success on a cool, but dry spring afternoon. Knowledgeable stewards' chairman, Dennis Reed, had rightly anticipated that this excellent steeplechase course - expertly created some 50 years ago - would be in fine fettle for the event and, with 64 eventual runners in the seven races on the card, the excitement was quite intense throughout. Local jockeys were particularly successful, and with Dai Jones's two winners each returning odds of 10 -1, he was obviously the punters' friend. Charlotte Owen also rode two winners, including the Restricted, when first past the post Paul Sheldrake on Chestnut Annie was unfortunately disqualified after losing a saddle weight. Considered to be the race of the day was the Intermediate chase in which Jodie Hughes, who had taken over from Isobel Thompsett - who suffered a nasty fall in the second race - on It'sallupintheair beat the favourite, the Irish bred La Griffe, with Tim Vaughan, by just a neck. It was also very pleasing to see Josh Harries back in winning form and apparently none the worse after falling heavily at Cilwendeg two weeks previously. Dennis Reed added: "I must express great appreciation, not only to the willing band of stewards who ensured safe parking for well over 2,000 cars, but also to the many very generous sponsors who have ensured the sound financial future of these races." Officials: chairman - Eryl Llewellyn; stewards chairman - Dennis Reed; clerk of the course - David John; starter - M. Eynon; judge - Gwyn Williams.
Results
Members (sponsored by Owen & Owen, Pembroke): 1. Batchworth Lock (Charlotte Owen) 2-1; 2. Brave Caradog (Tim Vaughan); 3. Sip of Brandy (Jodie Hughes). Five ran. Maiden (Buccaneer Inn, Tenby): 1. Ladygal (Dai Jones) 10-1; 2. Bucky Beaumont (Kylie Yates); 3. Indian Trix (Tony Hanley). Nine ran. Ladies Open (Sinclair VW): 1. Classi Maureen (Lucy Rowsell) 2-5 on; 2. Spectacular Hope (Jodie Hughes); 3. De Chelley (Charlotte Owen). Five ran. Open Maiden, five to seven-year-olds (Swallow Tree Gardens): 1. Dark all Over (Josh Harries) 5-1; 2. Eastwell Violet (Mark Lewis); 3. Potter's Wheel (Dick Hodges). Thirteen ran. Men's Open (S. G. Mercedes): 1. Moon Tiger (Dai Jones) 10-1; 2. It's Alf (David Mansell); 3. Alvaro (Jodey Soul). Ten ran. Intermediate (Welsh Game Fair): 1. Itsallupintheair (Jodie Hughes) 8-1; 2. La Griffe (Tim Vaughan); 3. Beasley (Charlotte Owen). Seven ran. Restricted (Homeleigh Developments): 1. Fruitful Citizen (Charlotte Owen) 10-1; 2. Boysterous (Dai Jones); 3. Ban Dubh (David Mansell). Thirteen ran.
Special awards
Winner of the Members race and leading rider of the meeting - Charlotte Owen. Fastest winner of the day - Classi Maureen; local - Batchworth Lock. Best turned out South Pembrokeshire horse - Lorna Williams. The next point to point fixtures in West Wales are the Banwen Miners Hunt event at Pentreclwydau, near Resolven, on Monday, May 1 (first race 2 pm), and the Pembrokeshire Hunt chase at Trecoed, near Fishguard, on Saturday, June 3.