Four weeks on from his defeat in the Lady Dudley Cup, Findlay's Find turned the tables on his conqueror and rival Rosies Peacock.
The pair locked swords again in the Gelligaer Farmers Mixed Open at Lower Machen, where nine others also lined up to take on the duo. With Nick Williams back in the plate, none proved a match for Paul and Myfanwy Miles's runner who, after racing prominently throughout, went clear from four out to beat the evens favourite Rosies Peacock and John Mathias by seven lengths.
If revenge is a dish best served cold, it must have been icy on the course at Lower Machen after the winner also put another ten lengths over third-placed Midnight Diamond, whose defeat of Findlay's Find at Ystradowen in April remains one of the biggest shock results this season.
Over at Dingley the Fitzwilliam (Milton) decamped from their usual Cottenham base to test out the ups and downs of one of Northamptonshire's most popular tracks. Despite a chilly, damp day not befitting the mid-May date, spectators were treated to fantastic racing from start to finish.
The day opened up with Karinga Dandy's final fence faux pas, the racecourse debutant pulling himself up when in front after the last. A fly-by from Lady Barack and some encouragement from Sam Davies-Thomas got the six-year-old going again, getting up on the line to win by three-quarters of a length.
An upset in the Ladies Open saw Claire Hart and Palypso De Creek beat title-chasing Jane Williams and Billyvoddan by 15 lengths, the winner looking ripe for another circuit crossing the line, whilst young horse maiden winner Nelson's Legend, whose name comes from the loss of an eye as a yearling, gave owner Peter Taylor a deserved first win after many years in the sport.
Earlier in the week the Weston & Banwell took up residence at Cothelstone for their traditional mid-week evening fixture. Overlut once again left the course victorious as winner of the Ladies Open, having won the Mens event here three years ago before going on to claim Stratford's 2m1½f Hunter Chase, a race which looks set to be the gelding's target again.
The win formed half of a training double for Stephen Bevan, who also sent out Chandler's Cross to claim the Novice Riders' race under Kieron Edgar.
A winning ride on Kawana Cove in the closing race of the evening, Division 2 of the Open Maiden, assured Will Biddick of the Wessex Area title, alongside boosting his national tally.
At Sunday's Dulverton West meeting a 50% strike rate for the rider took his total to 42, 19 clear of second-placed Thomas Greenall. Silver Commander came up trumps in the opening Restricted, taking the lead half a furlong from home to beat Little Cornham and Darren Edwards. Jewellery, who has looked promising on all three outings so far, hit the mark on her fourth to make all in Division Two of the Open Maiden, winning unchallenged to complete Biddick's double.
The penultimate Northern Area meeting took place at Hexham racecourse on Sunday, with a double on the day for Sam Drake helping her jump to third in the National Ladies Championship. Morello Mist and Optimistic Harry, both owned and trained by the rider, won the consecutively run Restricted and Ladies Open races.
The latter faced up to fellow prolific winner Sea Scout, reversing his fortune from their last meeting when the pair finished third and second respectively behind AGA Ladies Final winner Amicelli at Sheriff Hutton. Reigning Mens Champion Gillon Crow also added another to this season's tally on board Barachois Silver, who built on his recent Restricted win to cruise home in the Club Members event, 12 lengths ahead of former Rules winner Master Sebastian, Grey Whisper a distance back in third.
Two years on from giving rider James Philips his first win, Maletton did the same for younger sibling Henry. The pair have finished in the frame on all five previous this season, including a close second to Alroyal, but got their head, and a bit more, in front at Upper Sapey on Sunday at the Clifton-on-Teme fixture. Sent off odds-on favourites for the Club Members race for Novice Riders, Henry and Maletton crossed the line two lengths ahead of My Lord Oscar, with Twocute in third.
Meanwhile, over at Tabley, the Dodson & Horrell Novice Riders Championship Final got underway at the North West Point-to-Point Club meeting. Previous winners of the prestigious final include Rhys Flint and Sam Twiston-Davies, and this year celebrates 25 years of sponsorship by the horse feed specialists.
Four went to post, with dual Novice Riders winners Unleash and Dominic Sutton sent off evens favourite. Unfortunately for both punters and the pilot, a wardrobe malfunction three out saw Unleash shed his weightcloth, leaving Dominic no choice but to pull up.
This left Von Origny and Derek Smith clear of the only other remaining contender Ceasen Desist, King's Envoy having unseated Amy McGregor at the point of Unleash's unfortunate exit. The winning pair hit the line 20 lengths ahead of King's Envoy and his rider David O'Brien, giving the North West a first 'home win' in the race since its inception five years ago.
Will Kinsey's win on board Hurlstone Tower in the following Mens Open marked a career half-century for the rider, eight years on from his first win at Tweseldown on board Master Jock.
Whitfield hosted its third and final fixture of the season on Sunday as the Grafton Hunt took temporary residence at the course, a phrase taken all too literally by the rogue hound who enjoyed several lone trips to join share a picnic or two around the car park in his new 'home'.
With just one meeting left in the Area there were battles aplenty for championship points; Fly Direct and Doctor Kingsley, who have both earned their respective connections points in the Leading Owners category, both lined up for the Mens Open, the line-up completed by Avon Vale Hunt Members winner R'Cam.
Doctor Kingsley took the lead from flag fall, setting a very sedate pace under regular partner Peter Mann. The trio remained at a saunter until four out when picking up coming down the hill; Joe Hill sent on Fly Direct to challenge after the penultimate, but the pair proved no match for Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate Final winner Doctor Kingsley, who replied to Fly Direct with ease to win by five lengths, no doubt spurred on by his whooping rider. The Classic Cliche gelding remains unbeaten this season, including from three visits to the Northamptonshire track.
Next weekend enjoys two additions to the original three fixtures following the rescheduled Axe Vale and South Durham running on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Don't forget to check out sportinglife.com next week for a round-up of all the action, and for those who want results on the day, click here to join pointtopoint.co.uk - enjoy early access to entries and results, plus a horse form summary.
Saturday 26th May
Axe Vale Harriers at Stafford Cross (Devon): 1st race - 1.30pm; 7 races - 111 entries
Golden Valley at Bredwardine (Herefordshire): 1st race - 2.00pm; 7 races - 137 entries
Meynell & South Staffordshire at Garthorpe (Leicestershire): 1st race - 2.00pm; 7 races - 115 entries
Sunday 27th May
Flint & Denbigh at Bangor-on-Dee (Clwyd): 1st race - 2.00pm; 7 races - 119 entries
South Durham at Mordon (Cleveland): 1st race - 2.00pm; 7 races - 118 entries
