A total of 82 runners in 8 races on softish going,  plus the bonus of two pony races, gave the large crowd their money's worth at the popular Cornish venue of Great Trethew, Menheniot. 

Darren Edwards and Josh Newman took the riding honours, each with a double

That grand campaigner Sykes, now 13-years-old, ran the legs off his younger rivals to win the INEOS Grenadier Mixed Open. Runner up Minimalistic proved the main threat, but Sykes was having none of it and stormed up the finishing climb. Nicky Martin's gelding has now won nine races, including six under rules, since opening his account on this course eight years ago. Darren Edwards described his mount as a "real star, but was getting a bit lonely out in front today."

The leading area rider had earlier won a section of the Open Maiden for older horses sponsored by the Kings Head, Altarnun, this time for the Dean Summersby yard on Honest Opinion. After finishing runner up in five races (one in Ireland), the Black Sam Bellamy mare finally came good as she just touched off Aunt Lily,  who virtually threw the race away by hanging towards the horse boxes on the short run in when looking the winner. "Honest Opinion is a three mile stayer really and tries her heart out.  The two and a half miles is not her trip. She prefers soft ground and will probably go to Kilworthy next." reflected the trainer.

Vinny Webster partnered his second career winner on Roy Smith's Say About It in the other division. The 28-year-old from County Kilkenny works for the Victor Dartnall yard and gave his mount a positive ride to fend off Oyster Perch and Arv Way There  

Josh Newman was narrowly beaten on Minimalistic in the Mixed Open, but had started the day well by winning the Philip Warren Butchers point-to-point flat race on  Valereum Bridge, in the colours of Ivan Thompson.  The five-year-old just held the strong finishing In Exell (Martin McIntyre) .  " She just gallops and was green in front," said the rider of the previously unraced youngster by Fame and Glory  who is likely to head to the sales.

The Open Maiden for four to six-year-olds, sponsored by Dawe, Hawken, Dodd and Prydis had to be divided on the day. Josh Newman won his section on Sake of Secrecy, who just overcame the Chris Barber trained  Izayte after out jumping his rival at the last. The winner was saddled by Neil Mclean for Crediton based owner Becky Kealey, who was enjoying her first success as an owner.

The earlier Maiden division saw an emphatic display by four-year-old debutant Doc McCoy, who jumped well and drew well clear down the hill to win in impressive style under Charlie Sprake. Ian Chanin trains the exciting Getaway prospect for a small syndicate,  and he was backed down from 6-1 to 5-4 favourite.  "I was blown away with him after his first canter. We call him magic," remarked the trainer, who said that he had purchased the gelding out of the ring at Doncaster sales. He should produce a nice profit on his intended return trip to the sales ring.  

Broadclyst gave Anna Johnston her second career winner in a competitive PPORA Novice Riders race. Sue Trump's 10-year-old, sent out by Leslie Jefford, is proving an ideal novice ride and was following up his earlier Wadebridge success under this rider. "He has a huge amount of stamina and his jumping is fantastic," reported the rider who works for Jane Williams.

The Jefferys sponsored Restricted resulted in a three way battle at the business end as Jeremy Central, Fountains Chief and Reflex Action rose in unison at the penultimate fence. It was Will Biddick's mount Jeremy Central who proved the stronger in the end despite jumping to the left at the last as Fountains Chief (Darren Andrews) rallied to renew his challenge alongside the eventual winner. A lengthy stewards enquiry left the result unchanged, much to the relief of Jeremy Central's owner/trainer Tom Malone who was watching the Pointing DC live stream coverage whilst on holiday abroad.

"This will be the last February meeting at Great Trethew due to the landowners farming commitments," confirmed point-to-point secretary Sandie Newton, who is retiring from that job after 10 years service.   It remains to be seen if an alternative option for this excellent track can be found. Personally, I hope it can because I have been going there since the course opened 36 years ago. I recall seeing future Cheltenham Foxhunters winner Earthmover winning his Maiden there on debut.