THERE was some really close finishes at the opening Wessex Area meeting held at Larkhill.

The highlights of the meeting were training doubles for Rose Loxton from Ditcheat and Richard Bandey from Tadley, a first training winner for Laura Bradley who is based at Bramdean and a riding double for jockey Martin McIntyre.

The meeting began with the combined Hursley Hambledon and New Forest Hunts race where Swallowshide, ridden by Bradley Paris-Crofts for Brockenhurst trainer James Young, looked to have the race in the bag having jumped the last better than his rival One More Tune and quickly established a clear lead on the run-in.

However, his stride shortened nearing the post and Rilly Goschen galvanised her ride One More Tune to get up to win the race by an official head.

Loxton sent out the winners of the two Open races with Caid du Berlais winning the Ladies’ race and Monsieur Gibraltar taking the Men’s race.

With principal rival Richmond unseating Lucy Turner at the third last, Caid du Berlais strolled home to an easy victory to give his young pilot Harriet Tucker her fourth career win and the first for Loxton.

Monsieur Gibraltar, ridden by usual rider Lorcan Williams, stayed on well to beat another former Paul Nicholls in-mate Keltus by two lengths in the Men’s Open.

Ballycash was an easy winner for Caerphilly owner/trainer Emlyn Parry in the Restricted race, partnered by Jordan Williams.

McIntyre and trainer Bandey then combined to win the next two races the first being Fortune Bound for Isle of Wight owner Anna Reed in the Club Members Conditions race.

Trainer and rider followed up in the first division of the Open Maiden when Irish Legionnaire also won by a neck over main rival Swincombe Toby, ridden by Williams.

The final race of the day, the second division of the Maiden, was won by the unraced Coningsby, owned and bred by Lady Cobham and trained by Sophie Lacey.

After Gracious Prince had led the field for two miles the winner and the runner-up Three in One ridden by Gordon Treacy for trainer Jade Barber battled out the finish with a length separating them at the line.

The winner who is a half-brother to Flights is the third generation that Lady Cobham has owned with his dam Motcombe winning two chases for Robert Alner and his grandam Cooks Lawn being placed in five hurdle races.