BOTH Yorkshire point to point meetings held over Easter, the Bedale at Hornby Castle on the Saturday and the Staintondale at Charm Park on the Monday, attracted large crowds and plenty of runners.

At Hornby Castle, the Bedale members’ race saw a first winner for jockey Alison Pocklington.

She partnered the veteran Texas Ranger, who made every yard of the running to hold off the determined challenge of the favourite, Elusive Swallow, ridden by Nathan Moscrop, and record a five-length win.

Another jockey winning for the first time was Anna Dawson, whose mount Delfina sprang a 20-1 surprise in the ladies’, finishing strongly on the flat to beat Wilfie Wild, ridden by Lynne Ward, and Interdit, ridden by Pauline Robson.

The obligatory Tom Greenall double duly arrived.

The first leg came when Unjust Law had few problems in justifying favouritism in the men’s open.

Passing Briscoe Place at the last, he cruised to the line for a three-length win.

Greenall completed his double in the second division of the maiden.

He held up Red Square Express in the early stages, and produced the youngster with a well-timed run to overhaul Glad Star, ridden by Rachel Clark, on the flat and run on for a comfortable two-length win.

There was a fine front-running performance from the Howard Thompson-owned and trained Miss Sunflower in the first division of the maiden.

Ridden by Tina Jackson, the mare led from flag fall and galloped her rivals into submission as she finished 25 lengths clear at the line.

Keen Whip took the confined race. Ridden by Mark Walford, he stayed on strongly to hold off the challenge of Abandon Ship, ridden by Richard Smith.

Joanna Mason partnered Poppy Day to a two-length victory in the restricted.

At the Staintondale, owner/trainer Maxine Stirk landed a double.

Clever Nora won the opening novice and veteran riders’ race.

This was a first winner for promising young jockey Henry Brook.

He produced Clever Nora with a well-timed run and the pair galloped on well for a threelength win.

The second leg for Stirk came in the mixed open race courtesy of Eliza Doalott, ridden by Guy Brewer.

Le Passing, ridden by Toby Greenall, had opened up a 30- length lead with four to jump, but Brewer eased the favourite closer as they approached the third last.

As Le Passing started to weaken, Eliza Doalott ran on strongly and jumped to the front at the second last.

The result was then never in doubt as the mare kept on well to the line, with Le Passing second.

Jockey Chris Dawson also landed a double, both horses trained by John Wade.

Persian Prince led from the second last in the restricted and stayed on well to beat Oaklands Bobby, who ran a fine race back in second, racing prominently throughout under Colm McCormack.

The conditions maiden saw the completion of the Dawson/ Wade double when the fiveyear- old Blazing Bull won in the style of a very good horse.

Was It You showed promise in finishing second under Ian Smith.

Tom Greenall was another double-winning jockey. Tom Bannister’s My Old Piano is looking a very useful performer and he had few problems in beating Over To Joe, ridden by Simon Walker, in the confined hunts race.

Greenall completed his double when Apollo Saturn Five won the open maiden. This was a good race, with Apollo Saturn Five and Calopucus doing battle all the way down the run-in.

Apollo Saturn Five was a head clear at the line from the Mark Walford-ridden Calopucus.

On Sunday, the York and Ainsty meeting takes place at Easingwold, first race 2pm.