Andy Foster, who took up riding four years ago when in his thirties, fulfilled a dream when recording an emotional first winner on Silly Boy at the Old Berkshire Hunt meeting at Lockinge, near Wantage, yesterday.

Foster, who lives at Buckland, made all the running on the nine-year-old gelding he also owns, to take the members', subscribers' and farmers' race.

In front of a bumper crowd of between 8,000-10,000, they held off the late challenge of Pillager and Emily Freeman, who were finishing runners-up for the second successive year, by a length.

It also gave trainer Lee Harfield, 32, who has a livery yard at nearby Ginge, her first winner.

"It is fantastic," said the 38-year-old Foster after being greeted by his overjoyed wife Liz in the winner's enclosure. "I have only been riding for four years, so it is great.

"I couldn't believe it when I was coming to the last, and no-one was overtaking me."

And Harfield, who, like the winning rider, is also in her second season, added: "We are chuffed to bits with that. It is a fairy story."

There was also a first winner for Watlington trainer Emma Insley when Brer Bear, who she owns with her husband Charles, sprang a surprise in the open maiden.

Pulled up on his previous three starts, the five-year-old left that form well behind when skipping clear under James Diment to beat the hot favourite No Cash by 20 lengths.

"I am ever so pleased," said Insley. "The horse is just inexperienced and very green, but it has obviously clicked with him today."

Heather Irving, who lives at Culworth, near Banbury, was among the winners when Teeton Glaive finished alone in the restricted race.

An outsider of three, the nine-year-old, trained by Sylvia Edmunds at Weston in Northants, was half a length down on Lord Ken when the leader refused and unseated Nick Phillips at the second last.

It dashed the hopes of the Bibury-based Phillips family and trainer Simon Bloss of landing a treble.

Owner John Phillips and Bloss had earlier been on the mark with Camden Carrig, who came home a distance clear of Pulham Downe in the intermediate race, under Nick Phillips.

And then Phillips's youn- ger son, George, brought Dinsey Finnegan home by three lengths from Golden Jack in the Countryside Alliance Club Members' Race.

The best finish of the day came in the mixed open when Dancing Fosenby was brought with a well-timed run by Michael Holdforth to cut down Sheila McKenzie, from Chris King's Waterperry stables, and Oscar Wilde on the run-in.

The eight-year-old, trained by Penny Lownds at Upham, near Winchester, had a length to spare from Sheila McKenzie at the line.