DESPITE a bitterly cold wind there was a good crowd at the South East Hunts Club meeting at Charing on Sunday.

There was success for owners and riders from outside the area. Phil York, who lives near Leatherhead, rode three winners, and Nigel Bloom from East Anglia made his one ride a winning one.

The greatest cheer of the day went to 62-year-old David Robinson when he took the Men’s Open on his own 14-year-old Struggles Glory, who defied his younger rivals Little Farmer and Phil Hall to win by two lengths.

Phil York took the two-and-a-half mile Maiden race on Lady Mordaunt, who had fallen in her previous two races. The favourite, Highfields Clover, fell at the second last giving rider Chris Gordon a nasty fall.

Punters did not have a good day as only one favourite - Itsallinthestars - returned to the winners enclosure.

The Ladies' was another exciting race with 10 runners going to post. Belvento headed the market at even money with Millennium Way at 2-1. The Grey Baron, Belvento and Scally Buck led the field with the eventual winners Millennium Way and Caroline Taylor some 10 lengths off the pace.

Little Worsall and Hannah Grissell kicked for home with three furlongs to go, but Caroline Taylor kept with her and stayed on to win by two lengths, to give them their second win of the season.

Fifteen went to post for the Confined race. Phil York had his second win of the day on Charlies Angel, followed home by Lisa Stock on her spare ride, Stylish Dave. Lisa was deputising for Didi Rowell who had been taken to hospital following a nasty fall in the Ladies' race.

Phil York completed his treble in the final race of the day, the Maiden, with Blaze On, with Lisa Stock again taking second on Blakes Road.

On Saturday, February 26, racing takes place at Parham in West Sussex with the first race scheduled for 11am (ponies), 12.45pm (horses).