BRIGHTER Shade (Bluebell Partnership/Bilsdale) won for the fourth time this season when taking the men's open as the Yorkshire point to point season closed in front of a sparse crowd at the Old Raby Hunt Club meeting at Witton Castle.

Highbeath (J Milburn/Middleton) tried to make all, but when the Sarah Dent-trained Brighter Shade took over with five to jump, the race looked over.

Jumping two out, Brighter Shade looked in complete command, but the 12-year-old started to idle approaching the last as Noel Wilson drove Highbeath on.

In a great finish, Phillip Kinsella managed to get enough out of Brighter Shade, who hung on by two lengths. Highbeath finished a length clear of Don Foster's Shining Fountain (South Durham), who stayed on strongly under Larry McGrath after looking beaten two from home.

In the ladies open, the Tina Jackson-trained and ridden The Minister (H Thompson/Cleveland) reversed previous Witton Castle form by beating the Jo Foster-trained and ridden Quango (Middleton).

The pair fought out a great battle. Quango led two from home, but by the last The Minster had shown a length in front. In a nip and tuck battle to the line, The Minister held on to win by a neck.

Quango finished second, ten lengths clear of Robin Tate's Indie Rock (Bilsdale), who kept on at one pace from three out under Fiona Needham.

There was no more deserving winner than Colin Taylor's Heather Lad (South Durham), who finally got his head in front after two narrow seconds in the restricted.

Michael Humphrey's Nathan's Hero (Farndale) took his usual strong hold and soon led. He was in front until Heather Lad went to the front two from home.

Ridden by David Raw, Heather Lad looked as if he was going to pull away, but he weakened close to home. Nathan's Hero rallied under strong driving from Simon Brisby and reduced Heather Lad's lead to a diminishing length on the line.

The 50-1 shot Abbey Lad (E Fennick/Zetland) raced prominently, finishing six lengths further back under Fergus King.

The Nicky Morrison-trained Mashwe (Zetland) scored for the fourth time this season when she won the intermediate. The eight-year-old was held up well in rear in the early stages and at times appeared as if she was not going well enough to figure in the finish.

John Cornforth's Buddie Girie (York & Ainsty) led for much of the final circuit, but Mashwe, ridden by Freddie Crawford, closed up in third three from home. She ran on strongly and pulled well clear after taking it up two from home, winning by a very comfortable five lengths.

Although well held by the winner, Buddie Girie kept on well under Phillip Cornforth to take second. Eight lengths back in third was John Mackley's Leg Beforum (South Durham), who raced prominently until outpaced three from home under Lee Bates.

In the members race, Graeme Russ' Nampara Cove (Cleveland) put recent form behind him as his sixth attempt between the flags brought victory.

Broad Edge (Bedale), from the powerful Atkinson yard, was made favourite. Ridden by Peter Atkinson, he looked the likely winner, but the petrol ran out coming to the last as Nampara Cove finished strongly under Trevor Glass.

Pulling well clear on the flat, Nampara Cove was ten lengths clear at the line. The other four runners failed to complete.

The John Cornforth home-bred Norman Way (York & Ainsty) took the maiden under Phillip Cornforth. The winner looked a hard ride, but took the race with some ease.

Little Monkside (R Walton/Tyne) pressed him hard to the second last, but after the fence Norman Way ran on well to win by six lengths. Little Monkside, under J Thompson, finished second, 25 lengths clear of Gee-Bee-Aitch-Too (M Knowles/Morpeth), ridden by Phillip Kinsella.

The Yorkshire point to point season is now completed. Lee Bates took the men's championship and his nine wins have also seen him take the national novice riders title.

The ladies champion was Jo Foster, who is currently lying second in the national ladies championship with 13 wins