RICHARD Smith was the jockey in form with two winners at the Zetland Point to Point held at Witton Castle on Bank Holiday Monday, last week.

The meeting started with a real thriller in the Hunt Members race. Ed Cameron had made all the running aboard Phairy Storm and looked confident coming to the last, but under a power-packed ride from Richard Smith, Loaded Dice joined him in the line, resulting in a dead heat.

Smith completed his double in the intermediate race which saw a deserved win for Abandon Ship. The gelding stayed on well up the straight and was well clear jumping the last, and beat the Scottish raider Almost Blue, who was given too much to do.

There was a huge shock in the men’s open as 14-1 shot L’Oudon from Karen Tutty’s yard beat the red-hot favourite Sonevafushi. Jake Greenall looked to have the race won going out on the final circuit, but his mount found little when pressed by the winner and faded into third.

L’Oudon, who was ridden by Guy Brewer, was a length clear of Belem Ranger, ridden by Tom Oates who stayed on really well from the rear to take second.

The ladies open saw a really competitive event. The field was soon strung out as several of them set an extremely strong pace. This played into the Lutin du Moulin’s hands – the gelding sat in behind the leaders and scooted past them in the straight and forged clear in the hands of Lucy Horner for a six-length win.

Keeverfield, who raced prominently, kept on for second under Sally Drake, with Jimmys Duky and Laura Bell a further five lengths back in third.

The restricted race provided a very competitive event with a deserved win for the consistent Chummy’s Double.

John Dawson’s mount was always travelling well in midfield and, when asked, stayed on well after the last to win by a length for owner/trainer Robin Tate. Wantage Road finished rapidly from the rear, but could not reach the winner, finishing second Jake Greenall.

Division One of the maiden saw the well Eldon Endeavour and Chris Dawson win with relative ease, while division two saw a fortunate win for Robin De La Folier, ridden by Oliver Greenall, who took advantage of Chapel House’s fall when well clear three out.