Racegoers treated to top-class action at Barbury Castle point to point (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Racegoers treated to top-class action at Barbury Castle point to point

RACEGOERS were treated to top-class action during Sunday's Point to Point Owners' and Riders' Club meeting at Barbury Racecourse, near Marlborough.

Cars were still streaming into the course as the runners went to the start for the second race and two names noted for their successes under National Hunt Rules were successful at this meeting.

Sally Alner, the wife of Gold Cup winning trainer Robert, took the honours following Itchen Mills' victory in the Mares Maiden and Kingston-Bankers' success in Division I of the Restricted.

Martin Pipe's son David, in his final season of training point to pointers, took the Land Rover sponsored Men's Open with Lord Atterbury.

The eight-year-old made a quality field look second rate and he looks sure to run well in this year's principal objective, which is the Foxhunters Chase at the National Hunt Festival.

Another youngster with a famous parent scored on his first ride between the flags.

Dan Skelton, 18, the son of former top class show jumper Nick, steered Mickthecutaway to victory in Division II of the Novice Riders after a titanic battle with the runners-up Boyne Banks all the way up the home straight.

RAC student Jane Williams looked poised for a win in the ladies' open until her mount Dusk Duel broke down turning into the home straight while chasing long-time leader Bally-sicyos.

Left well clear at this point, he in turn fell foul of the penultimate obstacle.

Following his departure, the race was presented to Upton Adventure who landed the spoils for Eastnor trainer Nicky Sheppard.

Results. 6 and 7-year-old Maiden: 1 Out the Black (D Aler Hankey) 2-1 fav, 2 Agua Ardente (R Cope) 3-1, 3 Killough Hill (Miss P Gundry) 9-1. 12 ran. Novice Riders - Division I: 1 Lord Kilpatrick (T Edwards) 6-4 Fav, 2 Topical Tip (Mrs E Chugg) 7-1, 3 Holdimclose (Miss V Tremlett) 4-1. 12 ran.

Novice Riders - Division II: 1 Mickthecutaway (D Skelton) 5-1, 2 Boyne Banks (G Disney) 16-1, 3 Legal Storm (R Green) 33-1. 13 ran.

Ladies Open: 1 Upton Adventure (Miss E James) 6-1, 2 Chasing the Bride (Miss A Goschen) 14-1, 3 Bosuns Mate (Mrs B Keighley) 8-1. 18 ran. Men's Open: 1 Lord Atterbury (A Farrant) 1-2 fav, 2 Garruth (N Williams) 10-1, 3 Ashgreen (D Jones) 16-1. 20 ran.

Mares Maiden: 1 Itchen Mill (T Dreaper) 6-4 fav, 2 Knighton Star (G Barfoot Saunt) 7-2, 3 Kayleigh (P York) 8-1. 16 ran.

Restricted - Division 1: 1 Kingston Banker (D Jacobs) 2-1, 2 I Am Said I (A Farrant) 6-4 fav, 3 Leading Case (S Morris) 6-1. 8 ran.

Restricted - Division II: 1 Highway Oak (N Mitchell) 10-1, 2 Pot Shot (R Burton) 7-4 fav, 3 Sutton Courteney (J Jenkins) 14-1. 12 ran.