At the College Valley and North Nortumberland point-to-point last Sunday, when the ground was riding on the fast side of good, Crazy Diamond made if four wins from four starts with an emphatic victory in the men's open.

Sent off the odds-on favourite, the ex-eventer took up the running five out and opened up a clear lead to score by 20 lengths from long time leader, Ballyvesey. Future plans for the 11-year-old are undecided but owner, Tocky McKie, said now he has proved himself in open company, an entry in The Buccleuch Cup, at Kelso, in April, could be on the cards.

Tocky's daughter, Jessica, trains the winner and combines this with eventing, having ten to compete for the coming season.

In the opening young horse maiden, run over 2½-miles, Captain Redbeard looked a horse with a future after cruising to the front three out and went on to win by two lengths without being extended. The six-year-old, which was bought privately by Stuart Coltherd last year and had shown promise in two bumper starts, should have no problem stepping up in class.

He was ridden by Stuart's son, Sam, who is having a great first season in point to points, and leads the novice championship.

Seven went to post in the PPORA Club members' race for novice riders, in which Mister Splodge repeated his course victory of three weeks ago, when holding on by half a length from the fast finishing Pyjama Game.

The runner up may have been unlucky as he had veered off the course and lost about eight lengths, when the field had to bypass the first fence on the second circuit. Tom Hamilton partnered the winner on his previous victory but it was the turn of 18-year-old Ross Chapman, who has been based with Lucinda Russell for the last three months, to taste success.

Another course specialist, Bafana Choice, made it a pillar-to-post victory in the restricted, when he was jumped off in the lead, was never headed and sprinted clear in the home straight to win by a distance.

The home bred nine-year-old is trained by Susan Grant for George White, who hoped he 'would be sound in the morning', as he has had two split tendon operations on his fragile front legs. The long term aim, if the going doesn't get too fast, is the Heart of all England, at Hexham, in May.

Beggar's Velvet, who fell early on at Corbridge the previous week, made amends when winning the ladies' open.

A strong gallop was set by Keeverfield and at the bottom of the hill a blanket would have covered the four leaders. Three out, Beggar's Velvet lead and stuck on gamely to win by two lengths from Keeverfield, with Drill Sergeant 10 lengths back in third.

The winner, who was running for the sixth time this season, will now be given a break before a Hunter Chase at Sedgefield, in April, next on the agenda. He was ably partnered by Rachel McDonald, who, after several years with Lucinda Russell, is now based with Sandy Thomson, at Greenlaw.

Clerk of the course, Tom Oates, who does a great job at Alnwick, saw his own colours carried to victory in the concluding maiden race, when Dun Faw Good was never headed and went on to win by 10 lengths from Nelly La Rue.

The eight-year-old is the only foal out of Dun Rose, which, after winning the Buccleuch Cup in 2005 with Tom aboard, was given to him and his wife, Coco, as a wedding present. The Grape Tree Road gelding, which had shown some promise last season, when with Michael Smith, was a first training success for Claire Walton, wife of Jimmy.

LEADINGawards:

4, 5, 6 and 7 yo open maiden 2m 4f - 1, Captain Redbeard, S Coltherd, evens F; 2, Anddante, T Hamilton; 3, See Mores Finale, R Wilson. Six ran. 2l/dist. S Coltherd (Duke of Buccleuch). PPORA Club members' for novice riders - 1, Mister Splodge, R D Chapman, 4-5F; 2, Pyjama Game, T Dowson; 3, Ocarina, Miss L Fenwick. Seven ran. ½ l/2l. Mrs DR Brotherton (Middleton). Restricted - 1, Bafana Choice, Miss K Rowntree, 1-3F; 2, Duhallowcountry, N Orpwood; 3, Rush House, T Hamilton. Four ran. Dist/dist. GF White (Percy). Ladies' open - 1, Beggar's Velvet, Miss R McDonald, EvensF; 2, Keeverfield, Miss C Walton; 3, Drill Sergeant, Miss J Walton. Seven ran. 2l/10l. D Holmes (Percy). Men's open - 1, Crazy Diamond, N Orpwood, 1-2F; 2, Ballyvesey, D Holmes; 3, Back On The Road, J Alexander. Four ran. 20l/7l. Mrs Ian McKie (CV and NNH). Open maiden - 1, Dun Faw Good, Miss C Walton, 2-1JF; 2, Nelly La Rue, T Hamilton; 3, Scuderia, A Bartlett. Six ran 10l/sh. TR Oates (West Percy).