Rain the previous day and watering on Thursday resulted in good ground at the Fife point-to-point on Saturday, when owner, Peter Russell, recorded his second double of the season, with the same two horses.

His first success came in the opening members race, when Bear Dancing justified favouritism to score by three lengths.Taking up the running with a circuit to go, the winner had to kept up to his work to defy the strong challenge of last year’s winner, Almost Blue, partnered by Jamie Alexander, who was trying to win the race for the ninth time.

Peter’s second winner came in the 13 runner club members race, when Quinder Spring crossed the line in front to record his sixth win of the campaign. Sent off odds favourite, the six-year-old was put under pressure for the first time to shake off runner up Benbeoch, when the pair made the race their own from the fourth last. Peter’s daughter, Lucinda, was at Balcormo to witness the success and would like to send the French-bred gelding back under Rules, but Peter is adament that he stays between flags.

Another horse to win for the sixth time this year was Indian Print when he took the men’s open by two lengths from Commercial Express, with Uncle Neil half a length back in third. The victory also gave jockey Tristan Davidson, his 50th point-to-point winner and also put the six-year-old in the lead for the champion horse of the Northern Area.

Itzacliche outjumped his rivals to take the ladies equivalent for Joey Richards, daughter of Nicky, when he won by seven lengths from Lady Brig. The 10-year-old, who was impressive when he won at Overton, may head for Mosshouses before going to Market Rasen for a hunter chase.

John Wade’s assistant trainer, Maria Myco, made her first visit to Balcormo from Co Durham a successful one, when she brought four horses to the course and went home with two winners and a second. The first of these came in the restricted, when a thrilling finish resulted in Racing Ace and Chris Dawson getting the judges verdict by half a length from Amouir Daria.

The second winner to go back to Co Durham came in the second division of the young horse maiden, which had to be split on the day when Tara’s Joy held on to win by two lengths. This time it was the turn of Chris’s brother, John, who was having his first ride at the course, to be in the saddle and said they’d tossed a coin to see who got the ride.

Whatevertheweather ran on to be second for trainer Clive Storey, who had gone one better in the first division when he partnered Weeumba to a surprise 10-1 victory. Given a patient ride by Clive, the five-year-old hit the front jumping the last and stormed clear to win by 12 lengths. Running for only the third time, the home-bred mare is out of the good mare, Weejumpawud, and by And Beyond, who is starting to prove himself as a sire.

For the first time ever the Fife had eight races and the final race of the day saw a pillar to post victory for Kilbricken Rose. A change of scenery must have worked as the eight-year-old had shown only modest form before joining Kate Scott a week ago. The Presenting mare, which was partnered by Adam Nicol, is owned by Scott Rose, who missed his winner as he is on holiday in America.

Henry Morshead, daughter of Anthea, rode his second winner, when he took the pony race on Over To Kerry.

LEADINGawards:

Members – 1, Bear Dancing, D Ockdenden, 8-11F; 2, Almost Blue, J Alexander; 3, Mournes, D Reid. Five ran. 3l, dist. PS Russell, Kingdom Darghounds. Restricted – 1, Racing Ace, C Dawson, 2-1F; 2, Amour Daria, Miss L Alexander; 3, Davy Boy Legend, A Richardson. Eight ran. 1/2l, sh. Miss M Myco, S Durham. Ladies open – 1, Itzacliche, Miss J Richards, EvansF; 2, Lady Brig, Miss C Walton; 3, Old Rolla, Miss C Hyrley. Seven ran.7l, 2l. Miss J Richards, Cumberland. Mens open – 1, Indian Print, T Davidson, 1-3F; 2, Commercial Express, C Alexander; 3, Uncle Neil, A Richardson. Four ran. 2l, 1/2l. V Thomspon, Percy. NNPA members – 1, Quinder Spring, G Cockburn, 4-7F; 2, Benbeoch, C Dawson; 3, General Striker, Miss C Walton. 13 ran. 5l, 15l. PS Russell, Kingdom Draghounds. 5, 6 and 7yo maiden (div 1) – 1, Weeumba, C Storey, 10-1; 2, Reef Dancer, C Dawson; 3, Amulree, Miss L Alexander. Nine ran. 12l, 2l. C Storey & Mrs AD Wauchope, CV&NNH. Div 2 – 1, Taras Joy, J Davidson, 7-1; 2, Whatevertheweather, J Kocman; 3, Buchanty Spout, M Ennis. Nine ran. 2l, 1l. JS Wade, S Durham. 8yo and over maiden – 1, Kilbricken Rose, A Nicol, 6-1; 2, Pekan One, Ms J Bond; 3, Arabian Consort, A Findlay. 12 ran. 10l, 7l. SA Rose, Lauderdale.