Sunday, February 6 saw the opening of the Point to Point season in the north of England, held at Witton Castle hosted by the Old Raby Hunt Club.

The beautiful settings in which the castle stands made a perfect venue for such an event. You can stand on the bank in front of the castle looking down onto the steeplechase course, which gives you a natural stadium effect. Organisers had also placed viewing areas next to fences for those who wished to get nearer the action, with or without cameras

The whole course was so well thought out, not only for the horses but for all the spectators, of which there were hundreds. The car parks were full to bursting and at £15 and £25 per car the money made for the hunt should be very impressive.

A few trade stands, a catering van and bar lined the paddock where the horses paraded prior to each race in the ring that also doubled up as the winners' enclosure for the prize-giving.

The first race of the day was the Old Raby Hunt Club Members Maiden Race, setting a fast pace over this long course starting at the far side of the lakes. The crowds all moved forward to the bank to watch this spectacular ride, which was won in fine style by a good four lengths by the bay gelding Carew, ridden by jockey Lee Bates. Carew is an ex-novice hurdler/chaser with two second places over fences in 2003/4, he now holds a very impressive first place for John Mackley.

The second race, the Intermediate Race, got off to a rocky start with an incident in the paddock which resulted in a horse, Just Fluster, rearing up and flipping over backwards on top of his jockey. His jockey seemed to be alright at the time but Just Fluster was withdrawn from the race. Five horses started with the "horse of the day" Mister Bromley, ridden by Serena Brotherton, leading for most of the race. She rode this beautiful eight year old chestnut superbly, judging her stride and pace perfectly and winning in only 6.47 minutes, 12 lenghs ahead of her nearest rival High Fields.

Her smiles walking back to the paddock to receive her trophy from Gary and Hazel Ritchie-Bland of Tekmar UK Ltd, said it all.

Sadly, the jockey injured earlier managed to delay the start of the Ladies Open race by some 40 minutes. The Great North Air Ambulance had to land to take him to the hospital whilst the horses paraded round and round the start. The landing of the helicopter to meet the ambulance was a harsh reminder to all just how dangerous this sport is, and the risks that jockeys take with every step, not only on the race track but also in the ring.

The delay in the start must have fired the horses up as the Ladies' Open was won in a very fast time of just 6.32 minutes. The ladies flew, and for jockey J Coward on board Flat Top that is exactly what she did at the open ditch second circuit round. Thankfully, after only being winded and with a bruised ego, she walked away back towards the start to catch her loose horse.

Eight horses started and four finished with seven year old Texas Ranger and jockey Jo Foster jumping brilliantly to win by a fantastic 15 lengths.

Organisers were desperately trying to catch up on the time lost waiting for the helicopter and the Men's Open race was quick to start. Twelve runners started with the finishing time for Mr Mahdlo and Ben Woodhouse of 6.43 minutes; (ten second slower than the ladies) and ten lengths ahead of second placed Chaos Theory and D Thomas. Torn silk for Mr P England won the best condition for this race.

The Restricted Race, sponsored by Rowlands Chartered Accountants, had the largest field of 18 horses running. The thrilling race for the spectators due to such a large entry was won by the impressive grey mare Auntie Kathleen under the hands of Ben Woodhouse, who thundered through the finishing posts in first place ahead of Nampara Cove and Hellodock.

The sixth race of the day was the Open Maiden Division, won again by Ben Woodhouse on board Supreme Vintage. Ben had to ride hard to get this race in the bag as three from home he was lying in third place with the fast finisher Rising Talisker still ahead of him. On the run home Ben had him there and won right on the line after a very strong finish.

The day ended with the Open Maiden division two race, where Castleford and W Kinsey looked set to win after leading the entire way round. This was not to be as he fell at the last fence leaving the way clear for yet another win for Ben Woodhouse, this time with Ellie Bee.

For all there it was a spectacular day's racing, but for Ben Woodhouse it was something special; he bagged an incredible four wins

Published: 25/02/2005