Last weekend saw two cracking meetings. The weather was glorious for both and the highlight was another two wins for Balisteros in the Ladies Opens. This takes him to 10 wins between the flags for the year and he also has two Hunter Chase wins to his credit. This is a remarkable achievement and it is to be hoped he goes on to lift the Horse and Hound cup for the most wins in point to points.

On Saturday the Cumberland Hunt staged a 7 race card at Aspatria. Balisteros was the star of the show but his win was extremely hard fought. Storm Alive and Val Jackson set a cracking pace throughout and it took a power packed ride from Pauline Robson to drive Balisteros ahead on the run in to claim the spoils.

Earlier in the day Trivial scored an easy success under Ran Morgan in the hunt race. Always travelling well the combination scored cosily from Bold Irene and Brandon Bridge. The third only tired close home and may well be capable of picking up a small maiden.

In the Restricted Victorias Boy made virtually all to score easily from The Other Half and Tenellas Last. Guy Brewer gave the winner a positive ride and the combination was never seriously threatened. The runner up should pick up a restricted in time.

In the Mens Open Little Brockwell and Luke Morgan proved too strong up the home straight for Excise Man and the staying on Blank Cheque. This was a marked step up in form for the winner and if it is taken at face value it puts her in with the best of the areas Open horses. I hadn’t rated the mare this highly and I shall wait to see her run in Open company again before making a judgement.

The Intermediate fell to fast ground specialist Boyup Brook under a patient ride from Thomas Scott. The winner picked off the field one by one and came to challenge the hard ridden Highland Monarch at the last. Clive Storey went for everything at the last and Highland Monarch made a terrible mistake which saw Clive unseated some way after the fence leaving Boyup Brook to saunter home from Pennine View who had cut out much of the running and stayed on well from the last. Lindon Run took minor honours.

The first division of the Maiden fell to Gallant Major who was well backed in the ring. It took a vigorous ride from Andrew Robson to gain the day from Sparkling Gift. The runner up was coming to challenge at the last and was seemingly going the better but Gallant Major responded well to pressure to forge ahead again on the run in. The ride cost Andrew Robson a fine for excessive use of the whip.

Clive Storey out of luck earlier on Highland Monarch made amends when Fare Bit landed the concluding race from Mesling. The two were at it hammer and tongs from the third last and it was the mare that found a little extra to collect. I believe she is now bound for the sales and she has a decent future being by Henbit.