NORTHUMBERLAND jockey, Nick Orpwood, completed a double at the first Scottish point-to-point of the season.

Last Sunday's Jedforest fixture attracted a decent crowd to Kelso's Friars Haugh course, and they were rewarded with some good racing.

The first leg of Orpwood's double came aboard Crazy Diamond, who justified favouritism in the 11-strong restricted race - a qualifier for the series final, at Stratford, on May 29.

The home-bred 11-year-old carries the colours of Wooler owner, Tocky McKie and is trained by her daughter, Jessica, who previously evented the gelding up to intermediate level.

Orpwood's second success came in the concluding open maiden race aboard Mister D. The gelding was making a victorious debut for Hawick trainer, Lesley Bewley, and enjoyed an effortless 12-length victory in an eventful race, where just two of the 12 starters completed.

Hawick jockey, Tom Hamilton, rode the winner of the 2014 members' race and repeated that feat, this time riding Kalastar to victory for Galashiels trainer, Sylvia Scott, in the opening Storagexpress and Border Berries contest.

The teenager always had the gelding handily placed, and deprived Orpwood of a treble, when coming home four lengths clear of favourite Tambour Magic. The six-year-old was successful at the same meeting last year for Strathaven owner, Kenny Telfer.

"He'll probably have a couple of races for more experience, and then go for the Buccleuch Cup," she added.

Another former course winner, Ockey De Neulliac, completed a hat-trick when accounting for the ladies' open, which recorded the fastest time of the afternoon.

In the hands of reigning Northern Area ladies' champion, Catherine Walton, from Northumberland, the gelding held Ninetieth Minute by a length-and-a-half in a thrilling finish.

"He's a tough old boy," said winning owner Neil Mechie, who also trains the 13-year-old.

The consistent gelding has enjoyed a winning run this term - Sunday's victory coming hot on the heels of wins at Sheriff Hutton and Alnwick - and has an impressive tally of nine wins from 11 races during the last 12 months.

His Alnwick win proved poignant for Catherine Walton, who was recording her 50th career victory between the flags.

A five-and-a-half hour journey from Cirencester paid dividends for jockey, Tom David, who made a victorious course debut to win the men's open on Woodview Prince. "It's the first time I've ridden here, and it's a lovely track. We were worried about whether he would be as good, after two years off," added Tom, who works for Zara Phillips.

The Cheshire raider had his first outing since April, 2013, at Sheriff Hutton recently, where he finished an undisgraced runner-up. Winning owner, Richard Hewitt, holds the 10-year-old in high regard, describing him 'in a different league' to his other four horses.

His sights are on a novice hunter chase at Leicester next month. "We'll see how he copes with regulation fences, and then may take on the big boys at Cheltenham," he enthused. "He's just had niggling injuries, but if we can keep the wheels on, he'll do well.

"My aim is to be leading hunter chase owner and, although I've got some good horses, this is the best one I've got," he concluded.

Another jockey to win on his first visit to the track was Jack Teal, who works at Malton's Rainbow Equine Hospital. "It was a lovely course and really suited the mare," he said, following his win on Rush House in the mare's maiden race.

"No-one wanted a chestnut mare, and we bought her in 2013 for £600 at Ascot Sales," said John Smith, partner of winning owner, Gillian Lee.

Cherry Coward was holidaying abroad and missed the Middleton-qualified Botany Cove winning the intermediate race in an exciting finish.

LEADINGawards:

Members - Kalastar (T Hamilton) 2-1; 2, Tambour Major (N Orpwood) 4-5 fav; 3, Silk and Roses (Miss K Bryson) 2-1. Three ran. 4l; dist. K Telfer, Jedforest (Sylvia Scott).

Intermediate - Botany Cove (Miss J Coward) 10-1; 2, Mister Splodge (C Dawson) 9-4; 3, The Brig At Ayr (N Orpwood) 15-8 fav. Seven ran. 1l; 2l. Mrs C Coward and R Morris, Middleton (C Coward).

Ladies - Ockey de Neulliac (Miss C Walton) 4-9 fav; 2, Ninetieth Minute (Miss E Todd) 5-1; 3, Tasheba (Miss J Walton) 20-1. Eight ran. 1½ l; 2l. N Mechie, West of Yore.

Men's - Woodview Prince (T David) 4-7 fav; 2, Cave Hunter (T Hamilton) 9-4; 3, Monbeg (J Dawson) 14-1. Five ran. 6l; 4l. R Hewitt, Flint and Denbigh. (J O'Shea).

Restricted - Crazy Diamond (N Orpwood) 13-8 fav; 2, Darlington County (J Dawson) 7-4; 3, Oscar Stanley (Miss J Walton) 8-1. 11 ran. 1l; ½ l. Mrs I McKie, College Valley and North Northumberland. (Jessica McKie).

Mares maiden - Rush House (J Teal) 11-4; 2, Comedinewithme (Miss J Mason) 9-2; 3, Old Roan (N Orpwood) 7-4 fav. Nine ran. 1l; 5l. Miss G Lee, Hurworth.

Open maiden - Mister D (N Orpwood) 3-1 jt fav; 2, Indigo Island (J Lyttle) 7-1. 12 ran, only two finished. 12 lengths. Mrs C Moore, Percy (Lesley Bewley).