A TRAINING double for Trish Russell was the highlight of the Hurworth point-to-point held at Hutton Rudby last Saturday.

The first leg came in a thrilling ladies open race which saw Piper's Rock (Middleton), owned and ridden by Vicky Russell, Indie Rock (Bilsdale), ridden by Fiona Needham, and Little Santa jump the last together with the fast finishing Temple Garth (Sinnington), owned and ridden by Freya Hartley, just in behind.

In a great battle to the line, Piper's Rock just got up on the line to win by half a length in a driving finish. Temple Garth, who was catching the leader with every stride, just had too much to do in second.

A further length back in third was Robin Tate's Indie Rock, who looked to be cruising coming into the last but could not find any extra on the run to the line. Long-time leader Little Santa weakened back into fourth.

Russell's second leg came when her own horse Corrie Mor (Middleton) took the first division of the maiden on what was a spare ride for Guy Brewer.

Corrie Mor was patiently ridden by Brewer, who produced his mount with a well-timed run. Closing on the leaders at the second last, he went in front of the favourite Gunner Dream (South Durham) at the last, before keeping on well to the line for a four-length win.

Chris Grant's Gunner Dream finished second. He looked to be coming to win when taking it up at the second last under Lee Bates, but the favourite could not match the pace of the winner.

Another of the market leaders Sylcanny (P Gibbon/Zetland) finished six lengths back in third. She moved into contention at the second last, but could not get on terms with the leaders under Stuart Gibbon.

James Delahooke's Tricky Trevor (Zetland), trained by Jane Raw, made it win number four for the season when taking the Land Rover men's open.

Ridden by Nicky Tinkler, Tricky Trevor was always in command, but he was made to work for his three-length win by the favourite Majority Major (R Dobson/Bramham Moor), who ran a fine race under trainer Wayne Burnell.

Majority Major got within two lengths of the favourite at the second last, but lacked his extra speed in the finish. Danby's Gorse (D Todd/Blankney), who survived a bad blunder two from home, did well to finish to a ten lengths third under Simon Walker.

In the confined, Silver Groom quickened impressively away from the field under Joe Foster at the third last and galloped on for a ten-length win. But the 12-year-old had lost his weight cloth at the fourth last, so the inevitable disqualification followed.

This handed the race to the favourite Brighter Shade (Blue Bell Partnership/Bilsdale). Brighter Shade had gone a clear second three from home but, although outpaced by the winner, he had no trouble in repelling Monica Dickinson's Orient Bay (Bramham Moor), ridden by Richard Tate, who was promoted into second.

Promoted into third was the Lee Bates-ridden Little Vera (H Raw/Hurworth).

The restricted saw an exciting race between the favourite, John Mackley's Jarode (South Durham) and David Atkinson's Lord George (Bedale).

Given an enterprising ride by Peter Atkinson, Lord George looked to have pinched the race when maintaining a 20-length lead two from home, but the ten-year-old weakened rapidly on the run to the last, giving Jarode, ridden by Lee Bates, his chance.

Jarode was two lengths down at the last but stayed on well, running on to win by four lengths to maintain his 100pc record in points.

The Frank Crawford owned and ridden Mashwe (Zetland), stayed on strongly from the second last for a fast finishing ten-length third.

The most impressive of four maiden winners was the Annabelle Armitage trained and ridden Geomar (G Singleton/Sinnington) in the third division. He put up a powerful front-running display. Leading from the off, the nine-year-old was never extended in recording a very easy distance win.

Office Hours, ridden by Simon Walker, made some late headway in the closing stages to take second by 20 lengths from the rapidly weakening Mr McDuck, ridden by Lee Bates.

Grant Tuer maintained his domination of the members race when his Son of Anshan easily landed odds of 1-3. Son of Anshan was soon in front and never had to get out of a canter to win by 10 lengths.

Sue Franks' Mr Sonshine showed promise in second, making some late headway under Paul Frank. 15 lengths back in third was Tessa Gray on her own Miorbhail, who gave away a lot of ground by jumping right. He raced prominently until weakening quickly from the third last.

Seventeen-year-old Chris Dawson, riding his father's Pennyman (South Durham) won the fourth maiden race. Pennyman raced prominently, led two from home and stayed on well for a four-length win.

The Franks' Ingleby Jack (Hurworth), ridden by Paul Frank, made late headway to take second on the flat.

Seven lengths back in third was the favourite Angel In Disguise (D Mason/South Durham), who made no progress on the leaders after looking dangerous approaching the last, Claire Metcalfe riding.

Border raider The Timberman (T Butt), ridden by Andrew Richardson, won the second division of the maiden. He was in front two from home and quickened away well for a five-length win.

Joe Swiers' Peggy Delight (West of Yore) ran a fine race in second, outpaced after the second last by the winner, Richard Wakeham riding.

Six lengths back in third was Bobby Wonder (A Jackson/Cleveland) who made most until weakening three out under trainer Lynne Ward.

* On Sunday the Middleton point-to-point, featuring the Grimethorpe Gold Cup, takes place at Whitwell on the Hill, first race 2pm