Racegoers were treated to an excellent afternoon's entertainment at the Cotley Point to Point as the sun shone brightly.  Another double from the bang in-form jockey Martin McIntyre, a further riding success for the season's star novice rider, Freddie Gingell and an emotional win for the Warner family were some of the highlights.

The Oriental Club Sponsors a series for those horses trained by their owners and it was a fitting tribute albeit an emotional one, when Mister Dick prevailed in a tight finish for Marita and Rhondda Warner. This was the second winner since taking over the reins from their late father Jason, in November and proved to be a very special one.  Marita explained "he was Dad's favourite horse in the yard and such a character." Jockey Geoff Barfoot-Saunt was shown some of that character when he made an "involuntary dismount" after the line as Mister Dick and he had a difference of opinion where to pull up but he laughed it off saying "it is quite something to ride a winner for Jason today - he was a friend for over 30 years."  The girls also had further reason to celebrate when hearing the news that their horse trained by Luke Price, Rose Iland, had earlier won at Howick. 

Martin McIntyre is in flying form at present notching up a second riding double in the space of a fortnight. The first yesterday came courtesy of Steel Express who took the Restricted for trainer Mike Vanstone.  Always travelling well in behind the leaders in what looked like a good pace Martin felt that the winner was only idling in front when rival Benny's Miracle fell at the last. Owner Sue Quick had decided to let the horse try pointing this season following a career under Rules with Linda Blackford. Mike then persuaded existing owners, Nigel Mackenzie and Richard Dening to join her and they were instantly rewarded with a win on debut at Chipley Park.  The 10 year old handled the ground yesterday but Mike felt he would prefer more cut in it so that would decide his next outing.

Martin's second win came on Westhill for trainer Sam Loxton and owner Clive Hitchings in the Maiden Conditions race. With odds-on favourite Between You and Me clearly hating the ground and pulling up, it was left to Westhill who drew clear from Young William to win cosily. A smiling Martin said "he was absolutely loving it out there despite looking about a bit."  Sam thought he may return to the course in two weeks for the Restricted race.

Another jockey who has been enjoying plenty of success this season is Freddie Gingell who took the Men's Open on Molineaux bringing his tally to seven and increasing his lead in the Novice Riders title.  Winning by an easy 4 lengths from Minim Mouse, Freddie felt that the gelding trained by grandfather Colin Tizard had settled better for him despite being a "bit guessy" at a couple and was idling after the last.  Having been unexpectedly caught on the line at Cothelstone, Freddie kept Molineaux up to his work.  There was a good-humoured debate between trainer and rider afterwards as to where the horse would next run but Colin explained the horse was doing his job as a schoolmaster and all being well he would run every two weeks.

The Ladies Open was run at a strong pace and jockey Lucy Turner was happy to bide her time on Sixteen Letters sitting quietly in third place. As the leaders capitulated, she jumped to the front with three fences to go and drew clear to record an impressive win. Trainer Neil Maclean explained that the horse was very talented but suffered from a wind issue which due to a throat abnormality, meant they were unable to operate on it. As a result sometimes his wind affected him in a finish and he looked ungenuine. Neil said "that couldn't be further from the truth as he's the most genuine horse you could wish for."  He added that tracks with downhill finishes such as here at Cotley and Larkhill suited him and he would be kept to those.

The opening Hunt member's race was a match between Master Dancer and Crown of Thorns. Will Biddick made the running on the latter and although they came over the last together, it was Master Dancer who had the better turn of foot under Darren Andrews to see off his rival. Garth Whisker jointly owns the gelding with Derek Prettejohn and explained that the last time he personally won this race was back in 1975 with Red Windsor.  Trainer Stuart Sampson explained "the horse handles better ground but prefers a straightforward track and would probably head to Upcott Cross next."

The finale was an Open Maiden and Will Biddick just held on Ninth Wave from Nowo with Kesa Great running a nice race in third.  Also trained by Will, Ninth Wave is owned by Peter and Kathy Musgrave who only bought the horse in January after Will called Peter and told him he had a horse that he might be interested in.  Due to the timing of the lockdowns Kathy had been unable to do anything for her birthday on the 24th March over the last two years so this was a fitting addition to the celebrations.