A WIN for Stanton trainer Kim Smyly and a deserved success for Zara Phillips were the highlights of the North Cotswold point-to-point meeting at Paxford.

The car parks were full as the massive Bank Holiday crowd watched the runners in the Members sent on their way.

With just two runners both horses and riders were content to hack round until the pace began to quicken with half-a-mile to run.

Smyly’s representative Anseanachai Cliste has had much more experience than Passing Fast who is still learning her trade, but he could never establish a clear advantage, although he stayed on doggedly to prevail over the final two fences.

After clambering over the last he had enough in reserve to beat his rival by three lengths and land the prize for winning owner/rider David Maxwell.

Zara Phillips took two horses to the meeting and the Gatcombe trainer was unlucky not to score with both of them, with Devil’s Boys going down by half-a-length in the Restricted before his stablemate Frankenstorm gained compensation with a short-head victory in the Maiden.

Favourite backers probably thought Stonefield had given up the unequal struggle in the Restricted but a mistake at the last by the leader gave them cause for optimism and they began to close the gap as they raced towards the judge.

There was great delight amongst the 10-strong Equus Club Syndicate when Stonefields half-length victory was announced.

Winning trainer/rider Tom Weston of Hindlip said afterwards: “He kept hanging and was not taking a cut at his fences but I kept pushing and we got there in the end.”

Prior to Stonefield’s success, Weston had taken the Men’s Open with Over the Phone.

RESULTS

Members: 1 Anseanachai Cliste (D Maxwell) 2-7 fav; 2 Passing Fast. 2 ran.

Novice riders: 1 Jetnova (J Smith Maxwell) 6-4 fav; 2 Be Definite; 3 Basil Fawlty. 4 ran.

Ladies Open: 1 Hall Kelly (Miss A Banks) 6-4; 2 Well Mett. 2 ran.

Men’s Open: 1 Ice Cool Benny (T Weston) 5-4 fav; 2 Count Salazar; 3 Tarquinius. 4 ran.

Restricted: 1 Stonefield (T Weston) 4-5 fav; 2 Devils Boys; 3 Keen Eye. 4 ran.

4-5-6-7-year-old Maiden: 1 Frankenstorm (T David) 4-6 fav; 2 Stow Hill. Only two finished. 3 ran.

8-year-old and over Maiden: 1 Midnight Hop (J Nixon) 8-1; 2 Eagle Harbor; 3 Intoxicate. 7 ran.