Trainer Barber lands a double success at Larkhill point to point (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Trainer Barber lands a double success at Larkhill point to point

THE first point-to-point meeting in the Wessex area, the Army, took place in squally conditions at Larkhill on Salisbury Plain on Sunday with 73 horses contesting seven races.

There was a double for trainer Richard Barber and a highlight was the achievement of Dominic Alers-Hankey, who rode two winners on his first day back after missing the whole of 2003 with a broken leg.

Alers-Hankey's first winner was in the Army Saddle Club Members' Race on Strong Tea, who forged well clear of dead heaters Norksi Lad and Puzzleman from two out.

Strong Tea, who has a fine record at Larkhill, is trained is Bishopstrow by Sarah Waugh for Lt Col Martin Lilley, currently serving in Brussels with the Royal Logistic Corps but present to see his horse's success on this occasion.

The Ladies' Open went to Rimpton Boy, trained by Richard Barber and ridden by Rachel Green, who kicked on three out and just held off the strong challenge of Mrs Be and Polly Gundry, with Bosun's Mate in third.

Barber completed his double in the 15-runner Land Rover Men's Open with Always On The Line who was prominent throughout and held off favourite Red Brook Lad by four lengths, with Arnold Sendell's Aberfoyle Park running a very promising race to finish third.

Alers-Hankey had his second victory of the day when Kerstino Two was an impressive winner of Division One of the Restricted.

Division Two went to Choc, who led throughout and resisted a determined challenge by Love At Dawn and young, Bibury-based jockey Peter Mason.