ONLY four races were possible before strong winds caused the abandonment on safety grounds of the Hurworth point to point at Hutton Rudby last Saturday.

There was time for the two open races to take place and the men's event saw Mick Hill's Mademist Sam (Hurworth) surprisingly sent off at odds on to beat Tracey Corrigan Clark's Imps Way (Derwent), who has been in top form this season.

But the race was dominated by the 9-4 shot, ridden by Lee Bates. Five from home, only Mademist Sam, under Nigel Tutty, was still in contention as Imps Way opened up a five-length lead.

Despite strong driving from Tutty, the favourite never looked like getting on terms as Imps Way galloped on strongly for a distance win. With the testing conditions taking their toll, Mademist Sam was the only other finisher.

The Jo Foster-trained and ridden Texas Ranger (R Chew/Middleton) was the easy winner of the ladies open. The favourite made every yard of the running and led by 20 lengths at halfway.

Only the Serena Brotherton-owned and ridden Emperor's Son (Middleton) was able to mount a challenge. He got to within a length five from home, but Texas Ranger pulled away after the second last to record a 15-length win.

Emperor's Son kept on well to take second by a distance from the Chris Dennis-trained Hessac (I Fenwick/Zetland), ridden by W Gibson.

Maitre De Musique justified favouritism in the members race, but he looked in trouble when the Nigel Tutty-owned and ridden Welsh March went into a clear lead two from home.

The Richard Tate-trained Maitre De Musique, who had led early under Richard Tate, rallied approaching the last. Taking it up on the flat, he kept on well to win as Welsh March could only keep on at one pace.

The other runner, the Sarah Horner-Harker-trained Baby John, was a distant third under Lucy Horner.

Journey (Cleveland) put up a very impressive performance, making all to win the restricted under Nigel Tutty. Keeping on well in front, the 11-year-old was two lengths clear three from home.

He ran on well to lead by six lengths at the last and stayed on to record a five-length win. The Serena Brotherton-trained and ridden Mr Bromley (Middleton) and the Simon Robinson-owned and ridden Orleans (Zetland) were his nearest challengers.

They fought out a great battle for the minor places, with Orleans staying on the better to pip Mr Bromley for second.

There is no point to point action in our area this weekend. The action resumes on April 4 with the Middleton at Whitwell on the Hill.