Tom HAMILTON extended his lead over Nick Orpwood in the Northern Area Men's Jockeys Championship to ten points with a double on the Andrew Hamilton-trained geldings, Bayfirth and Toreador in the Braes of Derwent point-to-point meeting at Downhills, Corbridge on Easter Monday.

There was plenty of praise for clerk of the course, Bob Middleton and his team, who had watered the course over the weekend to ensure the going was no worse than good to firm with a great covering of grass. Their efforts were rewarded with a total of 50 runners contesting the seven races.

Bayfirth finally overhauled long time leader Beau D'Argent two out in the Swiftstamp Restricted Race before forging clear up the home straight to score by ten lengths.

Hamilton said of the winner: ''He did that nicely. I got him back on the bit after a mistake three out and he was full of running when we hit the front at the next.''

Under another well-judged ride, Toreador gradually reeled in Coole Murphy on the second circuit of the Tow Law Open Maiden Race before taking it up approaching the last and sprinting eight lengths clear on the run-in.

This completed a first training double for Carluke-based Andrew Hamilton, who bought the seven-year-old privately out of the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard in 2012.

Selkirk trainer, Stuart Coltherd has enjoyed his best season to date under rules with sixteen winners, and his only pointer, Darsi Dancer got him off the mark between the flags in the USL Group Open Maiden Race for four, five, six and seven-year-olds.

Patiently ridden by Toby Speke, he cruised past Whisperdale approaching the last before forging six lengths clear on the flat.

Speke, a last minute substitute for Jamie Hamilton who had injured his shoulder earlier in the afternoon, had also been on the mark with Two Stroke in the last race at Mordon the previous day.

The six-year-old, placed twice in Maiden company in Ireland in November, was bought privately in January by Coltherd.

Ockey de Neulliac landed his fifth win of the season in near course record time in the Dr Syntax Inn Ladies Open Race. The 12-year-old gave Catherine Walton an armchair ride as he galloped the opposition into submission. It was one way traffic for much of the final circuit before he sauntered home a distance in front of Marfleet.

Middleham-based handler, Neil Mechie said of his stable star: ''He loves plenty of work and has been galloped every day since running at Hornby Castle last weekend. He deserves to take his chance in the Ladies Hunters' Chase at Cheltenham on April 30.''

Diana Walton's horses have hit a rich vein of form and Amour Daria made it three winners for her Bonchester Bridge yard in the last fifteen days in the Northumberland Tea Company Intermediate Race.

Relishing the quicker ground, the 11-year-old was sent on by Joanna Walton with a circuit to go and sealed a three-length victory over the favourite, The Brig At Ayr, with a great jump at the last.

Left in front when the favourite, Splendid Blue, fell six out in the Jerry Ryan Consultancy Men's Open Race, Ballyvesey held off a late challenge from Clonea Power to score by half a length, with Paddy Curry a further ten lengths away in third.

After getting off the mark at last month's Tynedale meeting, Hardy Oscar showed his liking for Corbridge with a second course win in the Douglas Chapman Memorial Braes of Derwent Members Race. Kate Leckenby's mount led from the off and, after matching strides with his solitary rival Rock On Rodger from four out, stayed on best of all to go two lengths clear again at the last.

Kate also trains the winner for the Dixon Leckenby Partnership, which comprises her parents, David and Judith (the Braes Pt-to-Pt Secretary) along with John and Karen Dixon, who are based in the Philippines, but were on hand this time after missing last month's victory.

LEADINGawards:

1.30pm Members Race: 1, Hardy Oscar (Miss K Leckenby) 4/5 fav; 2, Rock On Rodger (R Chapman); 2 ran; 3. The Dixon Leckenby Partnership (Braes of Derwent)

2.00pm Intermediate Race: 1, Amour Daria (Miss J Walton) 6/1; 2, The Brig At Ayr (N Orpwood); 3, Rennington Blue (Miss C Tailford); 6 ran; 3,10. Diana & Andrew Walton (Jedforest)

2.30pm Men's Open Race: 1, Ballyvesey (D Holmes) 4/1; 2, Clonea Power (C Carr); 3, Paddy Curry (T Hamilton); 8 ran; 0.5,10. Mr James Adams (Percy)

3.00pm Ladies Open Race: 1, Ockey De Neulliac (Miss C Walton) 4/5 fav; 2, Marfleet (Miss J Walton); 3, Call Me Mulligan (Miss A Petch); 9 ran; Dist, 4. Mr Neil Mechie (West of Yore)

3.30pm Restricted Race: 1, Bayfirth (T Hamilton) 10/1; 2, Beau D'Argent (Miss L Bell); 3, True Thomas (N Orpwood); 11 ran; 10,4. Mr Andrew Hamilton (Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire)

4.00 Open Maiden Race: 1, Toreador (T Hamilton) 5/4 fav; 2, Coole Murphy ( N Orpwood); 3, Yu Tiger (T Speke); 7 ran; 8,4. Mr Andrew Hamilton (Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire)

4.30 Open Maiden Race: 1, DARSI DANCER (T Speke) 5/2; 2, Whisperdale (R Wilson); 3, Awman (J Lyttle); 7 ran; 6, Dist. Mr Stuart Coltherd ( Duke of Buccleuch's)