BRIAN KILPATRICK'S Horus was an impressive winner of the Land Rover Men's Open - the top race of the day at the first point-to-point meeting this season at Larkhill.

For jockey Ashley Farrant, it was his first point-to-point winner since 1999 following his injury at the 2000 Army fixture.

He was up against a 17-strong field including Cheltenham Foxhunters' winner Cavelero and the prolific Copper Thistle.

However, the race was won in very impressive style by the David Pipe-trained six year old Horus.

Arnold Sendall's Aberfoyle Park ran a fine race in second, but was six lengths adrift, ahead of Copper Thistle and Cavalero.

This was Farrant's second ride and first winner since missing virtually the whole of last season after being injured in the corresponding race.

Horus has now qualified for the Cheltenham Foxhunters' Hunter Chase in March and should be regarded as a leading contender if taking his chance.

Eighty-four horses contested six races in this Army-organised meeting, the first point-to-point of 2001 in the Wessex area.

The opening Army Saddle Club Members race went to the Richard Barber-trained Ciara's Prince under Ollie Ellwood.

Ciara's Prince asserted himself two fences out to score by three lengths from Copper Coil, with Red Brook Lad, who was prominent throughout, back in third.

Ciara's Prince, whose connections had won this race in 2000 with Desert Waltz, was bought privately last year by Ray Geddes out of Jonjo O'Neill's stable.

Owner-rider Susie Samworth took the Ladies' Open with Oban, who led five fences out and just held off the challenge of Spring Marathon, with Drayadan in third.

A winner under Rules, Oban was making his point-to-point debut after being given to Samworth, who works for a children's charity in Cornwall, by Lord Hartington.

There was close finish to Division 1 of the Open Maiden with the Louise Alner-trained Fate A Compli scoring by a neck from London Road, with Bob's The Business the same distance away in third. The winner, who jumped well for Richard Young, was bought by Stourbridge owner Corey Gardner as a four year old from Tom Costello.

Division 2 went to County Derry who led after the 15th fence and came clear under Bishop's Nympton rider Neil Harris.

County Kerry, a first-ever winner for London owner Gary Lever, is trained at Dulverton by Jeremy Scott who bought the horse last year from Chris and Sue Popham.

Will Hill set a furious pace in the closing Restricted under Simon Sporburg and soon had many of the 19-strong field in trouble.

Only three had any chance from a long way out, and with Mick Mackie falling two out, Phar From Chance and Polly Gundry held the renewed challenge of Will Hill by 2 lengths, with no other finishers.

Trainer Susie Goess-Saurau, wife of the winning owner, reported that Phar From Chance would have one more point-to-point before going hunter chasing.

Phar From Chance seems to have both speed and stamina and is one to look out for in the future.

The next Area meeting is the Royal Artillery at Larkhill on Saturday January 27, first race 11.30am.