THE Injured Jockeys Fund charity race which preceded Sunday's point-to-point meeting at Barbury Castle went to the Alan King-trained First Mohican.

Liz Ampairee's mount, which is trained just a stone’s throw from the course, was sent off favourite and showed its rivals a clean pair of heels after taking it up in the back straight.

Victories in the six point-to-point races were evenly spread throughout the regions.

The most impressive performance of the day was provided by Executive Benefit and Gillian Crow in the Men’s Open.

Accompanied by Brackloon High they had their rivals at full stretch going out into the country for the final time.

They matched one another stride for stride over the next four fences until Executive Benefit began to get the better of the argument in the home straight.

Cheshire trainer Joe O’Shea relayed the commentary over his mobile phone to owner Richard Hewitt but the stable's hopes of landing a double were thwarted when Cottage Oak was down on his nose at the 16th in the Novice Riders which went to Pateese.

Essex-based Berties Dream was equally impressive in the Ladies' Open.

Ali Sterling and Tinelyra were prominent throughout this contest but were unable to respond when Gina Andrews sent the favourite to the front half a mile from home The opening Connollys Red Mills Intermediate provided the race of the day.

As they straightened up for the judge, Jeremy Mahot steered Rye Cross through on the inside of his rivals and quickly opened up a clear advantage.

The leader's stride began to shorten approaching the last, however, and he was passed in the final strides by Minella For Party.

Dave Mansell is one of the more senior jockeys on the point-to-point circuit and he put that experience to good use when landing the Jockey Club Mares' Maiden on Rose Of Milan.

Mansell only asked his mount for a serious effort approaching the second from home. The mare responded immediately and was level with two rivals at the last before quickening clear of them on the Flat.

Tom Lacey and Sam Drinkwater have a virtual monopoly in Two and a Half Mile Maidens and their dominance is such that any runner from the trainer's Ross-on-Wye base is usually sent off favourite for this type of contest.

Kelsey was no exception and the four-year-old looked as though he would continue the stable's good run as Drinkwater produced his mount to take a share of the lead between the final two fences.

Peter Mann and Brake Hill had other ideas and were able to repel their rival's challenge up the long run-in.

RESULTS

Intermediate: 1, Minella For Part (Miss H Watson) 3-1.

Mares' Maiden: 1, Rose Of Milan (D Mansell) 5-1.

AGA Ladies Open: 1, Berties Dream (Miss G Andrews) 2-1 fav.

Men's Open: 1, Executive Benefit (G Crow) 5-2 jt fav.

Novice Riders: 1, Pateese (T Humphries) 8-1.

2-1/2 Mile Maiden: 1, Brake Hill (P Mann) 16-1.