HEATHER Marks gained her first owner/trainer success when Over The Beck (South Durham) won an incident-packed ladies open at the Old Raby Hunt Club meeting held at Witton Castle last Sunday.

The race was thrown wide open at the fifth fence when Good Vibes ran out and took the hot favourite Silver Groom with him. Over The Beck, under a fine ride from Fiona Needham, was close up throughout and raced in second while the Lynne Ward-trained and ridden Wandering Wild (H Fletcher/Cleveland) cut out most of the running.

The home-bred Wandering Wild started to weaken three from home as Over The Beck went on with the Julie Kinsey-trained Sea Tarth (T Kinsey/Cheshire).

Ridden by Helen Kinsey, Sea Tarth challenged strongly over the final three fences, but the gutsy Over The Beck held on to win by a head. Eight lengths back was Wandering Wild, who looks likely to improve for the run.

Winning hurdler Young Lorcan (Middleton) made a winning point debut in the men's open. Very confidently ridden by Nicky Tinkler, the Carole Tinkler seven-year-old was held up well in rear in the early stages.

The pair made steady progress over the final circuit before coming smoothly through to lead two from home and running on well for a four-length win.

Returning to action between the flags, the Nicky Wilson-trained City Gent (J McGuinness) was always close up and he finished second under Noel Wilson.

Eight lengths back in third was the favourite Kings Boy (Lord Daresbury/Sinnington). Ridden by Tom Greenall, he weakened out of contention three from home.

The consistent Hazel Reilly (J Mackley/South Durham) took the intermediate race. Four from home, Hazel Reilly, trained by Sarah Dent, and Double Rich had pulled well clear of the remainder. Double Rich had a slight lead at the fence, but, jumping big, he unseated Tom Greenall to leave Hazel Reilly well clear. The 12-year-old mare cantered in under Lee Bates for a distance win.

There was a good battle for the minor places, with Dainty Man (M A De Quincey/Sir W W Wynns), ridden by Tessa Clark, just getting the better of Primitive Man (B Temple/Middleton), ridden by Dave Thomas, by a neck.

In very testing conditions David Atkinson's Broad Edge (Bedale) finished alone in the open maiden. T'nightsthenight was on terms with the favourite when he fell, leaving the Peter Atkinson-ridden horse well clear. By the time he crossed the line, the remaining three runners had already cried enough.

The 12-year-old mare Crimson Brocade (Hurworth) showed plenty of stamina when staying on well to take the members maiden race in the hands of owner Nigel Tutty.

Crimson Brocade was always close up with Sue Frank's Mr Sonshine (Hurworth), ridden by trainer Paul Frank, and the favourite Magic Performer (M Harland/Hurworth).

Crimson Brocade surrendered the lead to Mr Sonshine five from home, but kept on in determined fashion and went in front again two from home.

Under a strong ride from Nigel Tutty, she stayed on well to win by two lengths. Mr Sonshine finished second, a neck in front of the Chris Dennis-trained Magic Performer, who was one paced back in third under Lee Bates.

In the restricted, Vino Tino (Bramham Moor) had got the better of Approaching Land, who blundered and unseated Gino Carenza to leave Vino Tino a distance clear.

At the line, the Martina Mulhall-owned and trained horse was 20 lengths clear under Clive Mulhall. Durham Dandy (J Dwyer/Pendle), ridden by trainer Jo Foster, showed early, but kept on to finish second, five lengths in front of Nampara Cove (R Russ/Cleveland), ridden by Trevor Glass.

* The Badsworth and Bramham Moor point-to-point takes place at Wetherby on Sunday, with a seven-race card starting at midday.