THE Wessex point-to-point season opened at at Larkhill on Sunday with the Hursley Hambledon meeting.

Highlights were a first riding success for Izzi Djivanovic on her first ride, a double for owner David Maxwell and a riding double for Nick Lawton.

The Ladies Open provided a shock when long odds-on favourite Chapoturgeon, ridden by Bryony Frost, fell when closing on the leaders at the 15th fence.

This left Rotablade, ridden by Djivanovic, to win by eight lengths from Court In Session.

The 24-year-old who was having her first ever ride, is assistant trainer to National Hunt trainer Caroline Keevil and has had success in the eventing world, including representing Great Britain at the Young Rider Europeans.

David Maxwell enjoyed his first ever riding success at Larkhill aboard No Loose Change, who held the late surge by Join Together in the Men’s Open race.

A return to hunter chasing may be on the cards for the Kim Smyly trained 10-year-old and a tilt at the Aintree Foxhunters could be a long term season aim for the combination.

Mr Simpkins made virtually all to win the Restricted race ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen.

He is named after Phil Simpkins, gardener for the Waley-Cohens for more than 25 years and Phil was present to receive the trophy on behalf of the family. The first division of the Open Maiden was won narrowly by Big Bad Barry, a second winner of the day for owner David Maxwell.

But this time the horse was ridden by Alex Edwards for Coln Rogers trainer Axelle Wall.

Bought by her husband Mark at Doncaster in May 2014 and described as ‘a bit of a joker’, he has grown up this year and Mark said that he was ‘chuffed to bits’ to have found a horse for David.

Nick Lawton rode a first and last race double, taking the opening Hunt Members race on Pateese and the TBA Club Members (Mares & Fillies) race aboard Triggywinkle who benefited when the 'winner' Posh Totty was disqualified for failing to carry the correct weight.