FIRM going decimated the turn-out of runners at Hackwood Park near Basingstoke - two walkovers leaving only five races to be decided among 20 runners.

But two desperately close finishes gave the good crowd something to shout about - and two riders enjoyed the thrill of their first winners.

Clare Cowe, 28, tax manager at Bishops Waltham accountants Butler & Co, rode a canny race to win the Ward-Thomas Removals HH Members race on What A Storm, owned by her boss Julie Butler.

Race sponsor Andrew Ward-Thomas was a five-length runner-up on his own Blayneys Privilege, having put up 14lb overweight.

In the Rathbones Confined, 35-year-old Richard Green on Win The Toss prevailed by a neck over Rustic Revelry, ridden by Philip York - who trained both horses!

York soon gained consolation on Jackie Jarvis in the Marsh Private Clients TBA Mares Race, and completed a double when his Peafield walked over for the Exeter Investment Group Open.

The other walkover was by Royal Dew in the Belvoir Horse Products Restricted, ridden by David Evatt, victorious in the late Queen Mother's colours on Inch Arran nearly 30 years ago!

The biggest field of the day, and closest finish, was in the Sydney Robinson Maiden when Be Our Native beat My Glendalough by a head after a desperate battle over the last two fences.

HH Point-to-Point, Hackwood Park, Basingstoke:

Race 1: The Ward-Thomas Removals Members. 1 What A Storm (C. Cowe), 2 Blayneys Privilege, 3 Amaranthine. Time: 6m 32s. 3 ran. dist: 5L & 15L

Race 2: The Rathbones Confined. 1 Win The Toss (R. Green), 2 Rustic Revelry, 3 Graphic Designer. Time: 6m 07s. 4 ran. dist: a neck & 30 lengths.

Race 3: The Exeter Investment Group - Mixed Open. 1 Peafield (P. York) - a walkover.

Race 4: The Marsh Private Clients Members Mares Race. 1 Jackie Jarvis (P. York), 2 Glenpine.

Time: 6m 20s. 3 ran (only 2 finished) dist. 2.1/2L.

Race 5: The Julian Berry Memorial Members Race. 1 Touching Down (C. Llewellin), 2 Legal Storm, 3 Red Channel. Time: 6m 17s. 3 ran. dist: 6L & 2.1/2L.

Race 6: The Belvoir Horse Products Restricted Race. 1 Royal Dew (D. Evatt) - a walkover.

Race 7: The Sidney Robinson Memorial Open. 1 Be Our Native (J. Sole), 2. My Glendalough, 3. Vital Hesitation. Time: 6m 17s. 7 ran. dist: a head & a dist.