THE David Easterby-trained Silver Groom returned to his best form when winning the ladies open at the Bedale point-to-point held at Hornby Castle last Saturday.

Silver Groom (T Rose/Holderness) raced prominently under regular pilot Jo Foster and travelled well throughout. Wynyard Dancer (A Jackson/Cleveland), trained by jockey Tina Jackson, challenged the favourite from the third last, but when Foster asked the 13-year-old to quicken, he responded to win by a comfortable couple of lengths.

Wynyard Dancer kept on well to take second, three lengths clear of the Serena Brotherton-owned, ridden and trained Legendery Line (Middleton).

The men's open looked like turning into a procession when the classy Trade Dispute took up the running five from home. The 11-year-old was four lengths clear when he made an uncharacteristic blunder four out and fell.

This left the other class horse in the race, Father Rector (W Lamarque/Hurworth), in front. Ridden by Chris Denny, the 14-year-old stayed on well to win by five lengths and maintain a 75pc strike rate in hunt racing.

Sylvia Robinson's Gunna Be King (York & Ainsty) finished second, five lengths clear of Fassan (Hurworth).

Father Rector's win completed a double for trainer Fiona Needham, who was away riding Last Option in the Scottish Grand National.

Her first success came when Rupert Alers-Hankey took the members race on his own Royal Crimson, a first winner for the jockey. This was a much-improved effort by the 12-year-old, who was always in the front rank.

The favourite Tabriz threw down his challenge after the third last, but couldn't get on terms despite strong driving from owner Angie Thompson as Royal Crimson kept on to score by three lengths.

The Chris Dennis-trained Tabriz finished second, a length clear of second favourite Lord Alvinru (G Flintoft).

Trade Dispute's connections had enjoyed better luck in the restricted with the very promising five-year-old Trooper Collins (Hurworth). Ridden by owner and trainer Grant Tuer, he made much of the running.

Sassy Street (D Wood/Hurworth) threw down a strong challenge three from home, but the favourite forged clear in great style to win by six lengths.

Sassy Street, ridden by Phillip Kinsella, finished second, seven lengths clear of the 11-year-old Liam's River (South Durham).

The Phillip Cornforth-trained and ridden Buddy Girie (York & Ainsty) made it two wins in succession when justifying favouritism in the confined hunts race.

The race developed into a good battle between the two market leaders, Buddy Girie and the Simon Robinson-owned, ridden and trained Ben From Ketton (Zetland).

The pair were together until the Lord Bud gelding quickened strongly approaching the last. Galloping on well, he opened up a six-length lead at the line.

Ben From Ketton held second, two lengths in front of Northern raider Hadaway Lad (K Waters/Braes), which made late headway under trainer Andrew Richardson.

For the second successive week, Tina Jackson partnered a big price maiden winner when 12-1 shot Gaucho (Cleveland), who she trains for Howard Thompson, put up a fine front-running performance in the first division.

Sue Gospel's mare Snow Nymph (Farndale), ridden by Wayne Burnell, did well to get within two lengths at the line. The favourite, The Melting Pot (M Myco/South Durham), was six lengths back in third.

Michael Brown's stable provided first and second in the second maiden when Upon A Wish (York & Ainsty) won by two lengths from Fryup Digital (York & Ainsty). Ten lengths back in third was the favourite, Romany Move (South Durham).

l The Cleveland point-to-point takes place tomorrow at Stainton Vale, first race 2pm. The Staintondale is at Charm Park on Easter Monday, first race 2pm.