FIRM going hit the turnout of runners at Sunday's Hampshire Hunt point-to-point at Hackwood Park.

Two walkovers left only five races to be decided by the 20 runners. But two desperately close finishes gave the good crowd something to shout about and two riders enjoyed the thrill of their first winners.

Clare Cowe, 28, a tax manager at a Bishop's Waltham firm of accountants, rode a canny race to win the Ward-Thomas Removals-sponsored members' race on What A Storm, owned by her boss Julie Butler.

Race sponsor Andrew Ward-Thomas was a five length runner-up on his own Blayneys Privilege, having put up 14lb overweight.

In the Rathbones confined race, 35-year-old Richard Green on Win The Toss prevailed by a neck over Rustic Revelry, ridden by Philip York, who trained both horses.

York soon gained consolation on Jackie Jarvis in the Marsh Private Clients TBA mares' race and completed a double when his Peafield walked over for the Exeter Investment Group open race.

The other walkover was by Royal Dew in the Belvoir Horse Products restricted, ridden by David Evatt, who was victorious in the late Queen Mother's colours on Inch Arran nearly 30 years ago!

The biggest field of the day - and the closest finish - was in the Sydney Robinson maiden race where Be Our Native beat My Glendalough by a head after a desperate battle over the last two fences.

Results (in order 1, 2, 3):- Members race: What A Storm (C Cowe), Blayneys Privilege, Amaranthine. Time: 6min 32sec. Three ran. Distance: 5l, 15l.

Confined race: Win The Toss (R Green), Rustic Revelry, Graphic Designer. Time: 6:7. Four ran. Dist: a neck, 30 lengths

Mixed open: Peafield (P York) walked over.

Mares' race: Jackie Jarvis (P.York), Glenpine. Time: 6:20. Three ran (only two finished). Dist: 21/2l.

Members race: Touching Down (C Llewellin), Legal Storm, Red Channel. Time: 6:17. Three ran. Dist: 6l, 21/2l.

Restricted race: Royal Dew (D Evatt) walked over.

Open: Be Our Native (J Sole), My Glendalough, Vital Hesitation. Time: 6:17. Seven ran. Dist: head, dist.