THE IJF Charity Race, which preceded Sunday’s Point to Point Owners Association meeting at Barbury racecourse, threw up a local winner as First Mohican, trained by Alan King, whose National Hunt stables are just a stone’s throw from the course, triumphed.

A last-minute entry to the race, in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund, the 6/4 favourite never looked threatened in the mile-long race and won by 15 lengths, ridden by Salisbury’s Liz Ampairee.

As well as being a smart performer on the flat and over hurdles, First Mohican's former role when trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil was a ‘work’ companion to the Champion racehorse Frankel.

In total, the 12 riders raised more than £15,000 for the fund, which helps jockeys and their families.

The most impressive performance of the day was provided by Executive Benefit and Gillian Crow in the Men’s Open.

Accompanied by Brackloon High, they had their rivals at full stretch going out into the country for the final time.

They matched one another stride for stride over the next four fences until Executive Benefit began to get the better of the argument in the home straight.

Cheshire trainer Joe O’Shea relayed the commentary over his mobile phone to owner Richard Hewitt, but the stable’s hopes of landing a double were thwarted when Cottage Oak was down on his nose at the 16th in the Novice Riders race.

Charlie Hammond did well to retain the partnership but that mistake took its toll and they were passed by Pateese at the penultimate fence.

Essex-based Berties Dream had been equally impressive in the Ladies Open earlier in the afternoon, Gina Andrews sending the favourite to the front half a mile from home The opening Connollys Red Mills Intermediate provided the race of the day.

Jeremy Mahot steered Rye Cross through on the inside of his rivals and quickly opened up a clear advantage.

The leader’s stride began to shorten approaching the last and the five pounds he was conceding to his rivals proved decisive as Minella for Party got up in the final strides to grab victory from the jaws of defeat.

Dave Mansell is one of the more senior jockeys on the point-to-point circuit and he put that experience to good use when landing the Jockey Club Mares Maiden on Rose of Milan.

Ross-on-Wye trainer Tom Lacey and jockey Sam Drinkwater have a virtual monopoly in two-and-a-half mile Maidens and Kelsey looked no exception until Peter Mann and Brake Hill had other ideas and repelled their rivals’ challenge up the long run-in.

RESULTS

Intermediate: 1 Minella For Party (Miss H. Watson) 3-1, 2 Rye Cross, 3 Dunloughin (IRE). 10 ran.

Mares Maiden: 1 Rose of Milan (D. Mansell) 5-1, 2 Brids Classic, 3 What About Molly. 13 ran

AGA Ladies’ Open: 1 Berties Dream (Miss G Andrews) 2-1 Fav, 2 Tinelyra, 3 Latest Trend. 10 ran.

Men’s Open: 1 Executive Benefit (G Crow) 5-2 jt fav, 2 Brackloon High, 3 Hi Vic. 14 ran

Novice Riders: 1 Pateese (T Humphries) 8-1, 2 Cottage Oak, 3 Sivola De Sivola. 17 ran

Two-and-a-half mile Maiden: 1 Brake Hill (P Mann) 16-1, 2 Kelsey, 3 Royalzaro. 11 ran.

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