ALLERTON scored a hard-fought win under Lilly Pinchin in the novice riders race at Clifton-on-Teme point-to-point in Upper Sapey.

The horse had been tailed off at Andoversford but found the application of blinkers and conditions much more to his liking.

Allerton eventually disputed the lead with Take Over Sivola, Kyles Faith and Kilmacallogue Bay as they raced downhill towards the third from home.

With other rivals dropping out, Allerton and Kilmacallogue Bay straightened up for the judge.

Novice jockeys Pinchin and Emma Yardley rode like seasoned professionals and battled all the way before Allerton was deemed to have prevailed by a neck.

This was a first success for Pinchin, 17, who is based with Fergal O’Brien at Naunton, and put her in front in the race to become the area’s leading lady rider.

Worcestershire rider Phine Banks enhanced her chances of challenging for the ladies’ title after Horsham Lad’s success in the three-mile, six-furlong West Midland area national mixed open.

The start was delayed for 45 minutes as medical staff dealt to 20-year-old Harry Phipps, who suffered several broken bones in the preceding race.

Despite additional prize money for the mixed open, there was a disappointing turn-out but it provided an exciting finish. Horsham Lad and Ice Cool Benny shared the lead until the former took the running half-a-mile from home.

Ice Cool Benny’s challenge dropped away and Upton Centurion moved into contention, which made Banks pull out all the stops.

Leo Mahon seems to have this year’s riders championship in his grasp but Mark Wall consolidated second position after Flying Gnu’s victory in the nine-year-old and over conditions race.

Archie Boy was prominent until departing at halfway.

Parthian Empire offered token resistance and held off Gold Duster’s challenge on the run-in.

The three-mile maiden saw participants depart regularly so when they reappeared at the top of the hill only Earl the Pearl and Templefortune remained from the eight who had set out.

The latter was four lengths adrift approaching the penultimate obstacle but a slow jump knocked the stuffing out of the leader, who was caught on the final bend and then drifted wider approaching the last obstacle.

Templefortune moved clear at the last and Zac Baker’s mount stayed on doggedly to retain his lead as they landed the prize for Cradley trainer John Bryan.

The restricted resulted in a victory for favourite Treacyswestcountry and Lucy Wheeler.

The challenging Brianogue unseated Barry Denvir on the final bend, which left Dynamo Frankie and Master Mariner to collect the minor placings.

Dynamo Frankie’s owner Martin Wanless also had to settle for second place in the two-runner intermediate.

Ryan Bird made much of the running at a moderate pace on The Bridge at Ayr before the favourite Abbeyview swept by two fences from home.

Sam Evans’ Croome and West Warwickshire-qualified Singininthevalleys was held up for most of the two-and-a-half mile maiden before James Ridley produced his mount to join the leaders at the third from home.

But the Francesca Nimmo-trained Betterlatethaneva quickened clear and had an eight-length advantage at the finish.

RESULTS Conditions: 1st Flying Gnu M Wall 4-7 fav; 2nd Parthian Empirre; 3rd Gold Duster. 4 ran.

Restricted: 1st Treacyswestcounty Miss L Wheeler 4-5 fav; 2nd Dynamo Frankie; 3rd Master Mariner. 5 ran.

Novice riders: 1st Allerton Miss L Pinchin 8-1; 2nd Kilmacallogue Bay; 3rd Be Definite. 8 ran.

Mixed open: 1st Horsham Lad Miss P Banks 4-5 fav; 2nd Upton Centurion; 3rd Ice Cool Benny. 3 ran.

Intermediate: 1st Abbery View P Gerety 1-8 fav; 2nd The Brig at Ayre. 2 ran.

Mares maiden: 1st Betterlatethanneva H Nugent 8-1; 2nd Singininthewallys; 3rd Following Mama. 9 ran.

Open maiden: 1st Templefortune Z Baker 4-1; 2nd Earl the Pearl (only 2 finished). 8 ran.