Tessa Good’s late decision to let The Baillie take his chance was rewarded with a first training success in front of a massive Easter Monday crowd at the Old Berkshire Hunt meeting at Lockinge, near Wantage.

The ten-year-old gelding, who is trained and owned by Good at nearby Ginge, had been troubled by a corn on his off fore.

And it was only hours before the race that she gave him the go-ahead to run.

But once on the track, The Baillie showed no signs of discomfort as Good established a big lead on her charge, before crossing the line six lengths clear of MeandMrsjones and Stanton Harcourt-based Claire Matheson, who won this contest in 2007. Good, who recorded her first success as a rider in the corresponding event three years ago aboard Boyne Banks, said: “At 9 o’clock this morning we made the decision after the blacksmith had been.”

Emily Harbour, who is based at Emmington, near Thame, enjoyed a welcome change of fortune when making all the running aboard My Beautiful Betty to take the open maiden by six lengths from Owston Ferry and Rachel King.

Harbour had fallen on her previous four rides, but bounced back in style aboard the eight-year-old mare, who is trained by her mum, Sue.

She also won the award for the best ride of the day, chosen by former jump jockey Stan Mellor.

Jack Sherwood took the Point-to-Point Owners And Riders’ Association Club Members’ race for veteran and novice riders aboard Lost Time, despite running wide around the final bend.

It saw the 17-year-old, son of former top jockey Simon Sherwood, concede the lead to Frosty Jak and Wishwillow Magic.

But, in a thrilling finish, he galvanised his mount to storm through between the pair and snatch the spoils by a neck from Frosty Jak with Wishwillow Magic half a length back in third.

The restricted race also produced an exciting finish with Trizzy and Lucy Barry collaring Sheknowsyouknow by a head in the dying strides much to the surprise of the mare’s Highworth owner-trainer Johnny Manners.

Milesian King, who won the restricted 12 months ago, was made to work hard by Zirkel before claiming victory in the confined for Bibury trainer-rider Peter Mason.

In contrast, Needs Time, from Lady Annie Connell’s Steane Park yard, near Brackley, slammed Rustic John by a distance in a match for the mixed open under Tim Lane.

The pony races went to Darby O’Gill and Rollo Deutsch, from Chipping Camden, and Murphy and Lydia Wauchope, from Frilsham, near Hermitage.

RESULTS

Members: 1 THE BAILLIE (T Good) 5-2, 2 Meanmrsjones 9-4, 3 East Lawyer 4-5 fav. Trainer: T Good. Dist: 6l, dist. 4 ran.

Confined: 1 MILESIAN KING (P Mason) 4-7 fav, 2 Zirkel 2-1. Only two finished. Trainer: P Mason. Dist: 3/4l. 3 ran.

Mixed open: 1 NEEDS TIME (T Lane) 11-10, 2 Rustic John 4-7 fav. Trainer: Lady Connell. Dist: Dist. 2 ran.

PPORA Club Members (Veteran & Novice Riders): 1 LOST TIME (J Sherwood) 3-1, 2 Frosty Jak 5-1, 3 Wishwillow Magic 7-4 fav. Trainer: L Sherwood. Dist: Nk, 1/2l. 4 ran.

Restricted: 1 TRIZZY (L Barry) 5-1, 2 Sheknowsyouknow 11-8 fav, 3 Manta Point 3-1. Trainer: J Manners. Dist: Hd, 8l. 7 ran.

Open maiden: 1 MY BEAUTIFUL BETTY (E Harbour) 3-1, 2 Owston Ferry 8-1, 3 Doug Evens fav. Trainer: S Harbour. Dist: 6l, 4l. 5 ran.