The South Pembrokeshire Hunt point to point steeplechases held each year on Easter Monday remain unchallenged as the biggest sporting attraction of the year in the county.

This week's event drew in a huge, enthusiastic crowd from late morning, well in advance of the first race at 1 pm and, with the going rated as very good, a thrilling card again proved thoroughly enjoyable.

To meet stringent safety requirements the course had been modified somewhat with sharp 'elbows' and one of the downhill fences taken out.

Six of the seven winners on the card were locally owned reflecting well upon the growing reputation of an increasingly proficient group of top quality trainers, David Llewellin, Simon Jones, Eric Clough, David Underwood, David Rees and Robert Luke

It again proved a rewarding outing for teenage local jockey, John Mathias, who successfully rode three winners and was placed second in another race. Other locals, Lucy Jones, Kylie Yates and Alan Johns, also had winning runs.

Probably the closest race was the Ladies open where Claire Roddick led from the start on the Irish bred South Wales area leader, Bob Bites Back, and, while a bit to casually coasting home, was almost pipped at the post by Isobel Tompsett on the 11-year-old bay mare, Twilight Dancer.

Results:

Members (sponsored by Owen and Owen): 1. Dancing Credit (Lucy Jones) 1-2f; 2. Holmwood Legend (Kylie Yates); 3. Plums and Apples (Lucy Rowsell). Four ran.

Open Maiden (Robin Williams, Farrier): three mile - Rosies Peacock (John Mathias) 6-1; 2. Musique en Tete (James Tudor); 3. South and Rising (Peter Tolman). Ten ran. Two-and-a-half mile (Ffos Las Racecourse): Pathian Prince (John Mathias) 5-2f; 2. Michigan Assassin (Peter Tolman); 3. Persian Warrior (Claire Roddick). Fourteen ran.

Ladies', Open (Ungoed, Thomas and King): 1. Bob Bite's Back (Claire Roddick) 5-4f; 2. Twilight Dancer (Isobel Tompsett); 3. Makena (Lucy Rowsell). Five ran.

Men's, Open (Sara Alderman, NFU, and Stuart Lewis, W. P. Lewis and Sons): 1. Ester's Boy (Kylie Yates) 4-1; 2. Misamon (John Mathias); 3. Rosetown (Neil Deakin). Eight ran.

Intermediate (Welsh Game Fair): 1. Kisha King (John Mathias) 5-4f; 2. Casey Tiles (Kylie Yates); 3. Red Buttons (Mark Barber). Five ran.

Restricted (Milton Farm Shop): 1. Doctor Supremo (Alan Johns) 4-1; 2. Slaney Eagle (Simon Parish); 3. Treasured Coin (Jodie Hughes). Thirteen ran.

Racegoers are reminded the point to point steeplechasing returns to Lydstep this weekend for the relocated Tivyside Hunt event on Sunday.