THE going was very testing for the Eggesford point-to-point meeting at Upcott Cross on Sunday with race times exceeding seven minutes writes Granville Taylor.

Lucette Annie relished the conditions, in winning the four miles Devon National. This game mare zoomed clear of her rivals with jockey Darren Edwards on the top bend before staying on to score comfortably from the consistent Bellsinni Ron, with pace setting Double Dizzy a commendable third.

Darren Edwards is enjoying another successful campaign with his winners into double figures, and had earlier scored on Bradley Brook in the Confined. This progressive eight-year-old was following up his recent Kilworthy win in good style, forging clear in the home straight. Trainer Nicola Martin said Bradley Brook may go for the Exeter Racecourse intermediate final or the Cheltenham evening meeting.

Another candidate for the Exeter final is Driftashore (Robbie Henderson) who beat odds-on favourite Pure Oxygen (ran out of oxygen quipped rider Will Biddick). Driftashore sauntered clear down the hill to score by ten lengths in the fastest time of the day.

My Rebel has always shaped like a stayer and sliced through the field from the top of the hill to take the 14-runner Restricted, just getting the better of Third Chance and Raffa.

The winner's trainer Becky Kennen shares ownership of the Milan seven-year-old with Alison Schwalm. His win provided a late birthday present for jockey Leanda Tickle who had turned 25 two days before.

Leanda was narrowly denied a double when her mount Pyleigh Princess was pipped on the post by Harry's Kap (Ed Barrett) in the maiden for eight-year-olds and over. Bought as a three-year-old by owner/trainer Ray Alford, nine-year-old Harry's Kap was having only his second race.

There were 16 entries for the Open Maiden for four to seven-year-olds. In another close encounter 33-1 outsider It's All Or Nothing (Michael Heard) poked his neck out in the last few strides to deny the promising Miss Gotaway. The winner was bought at Ascot sales as a three-year-old by Lamerton publican Rob White and is trained by Charlotte Rowe at Tedburn St Mary.

It was not the best of days for champion jockey Will Biddick, but his sole Hunt race win on Turtle Tim from five rides keeps him four ahead of Robbie Henderson in his bid for a third successive men's title. Turtle Tim is trained at Payhembury near Honiton by Sarah Pidsley for her parents Mike and Judith.