FOR the fourth successive year, the hunt race was won by Dicky Bob at a very muddy Cherrybrook point-to-point on Sunday, but this time the locally trained grey met with no opposition in his favourite race and only had to walk over to claim the prize, writes Granville Taylor.

His day, at the Spooners and West Dartmoor point to point, was not over however, and owner/trainer Verity Nicholls promptly declared her gelding for the mixed open, again ridden by Rex Dingle. This time he met with five opponents, but won by an emphatic 25 lengths over Mic’s Delight to show his well being and liking for this course.

David Prichard continued his good form with a double thanks to Tamarstone and Ballybane. The 26-year-old jockey was left clear at the last fence in the four to six-year-olds maiden, as nearest challenger Minimalistic fell when challenging.

Ballybane retained his unbeaten record for the season, fending off course specialist It’s All Or Nothing and Heaney to win the confined. Owner Melanie Dixon has a Cheltenham hunter chase in mind for her long striding grey.

Jo Supple had to settle for second place on It’s All Or Nothing in the confined, but had earlier steered the ex-Irish pointer Newlands Cross to a 15 lengths success over Mountain Las in the open maiden. This six-year-old is owned and trained by Culmstock bloodstock agent Tom Malone.

Honest Deed followed up his recent Kilworthy success under Darren Edwards in the intermediate, and the last race saw jockey Josh Newman rewarded for his 114 miles dash from the meeting at Badbury Rings with a 12 lengths victory on progressive mare Wind Tor in the restricted. The jockey had finished runner-up on his mount at the Dorset track, but a positive ride on Wind Tor ended his afternoon on a high note.