MORE than 20 years after opening his account on Fordstown, at Lanark, Jamie Alexander (51), remains as enthusiastic as ever and gave Royal Chatelier a polished ride to land the Cumberland Farmers NPPA Club Members' Race at Dalston, last Saturday, by a length from his nephew, Kit, on Sounds Of Italy.

Alexander said of his 12 year old charge: "That’s two wins and a second from three runs here. He’s not very quick these days but is definitely at his best on a flat track with plenty of cut. Next month’s veteran and novice riders race at Tranwell is a possible target.’’

Later in the afternoon, the gelding’s Kinneston-based trainer, Nick Alexander, Jamie’s older brother, completed an across the card double when The Bishop scored over hurdles at Ayr to make it 10 winners for the yard in the previous fortnight.

The fortunes of Victor Thompson’s Newton-by-the-Sea yard have improved dramatically in the last six weeks since employing former Flat jockey, Colin Halpa, and My Lady West followed a couple of near misses by taking the Restricted Race under Kit Alexander.

The mare tracked stable companion, Nelly La Rue, from two out before asserting half-way up the extended run-in to secure a three lengths verdict. Alexander said: "They went a sensible gallop in the conditions. She can be quite keen in her races but I managed to get her switched off and she picked up immediately when asked for an effort to win a shade cosily."

A great weekend for Thompson’s yard was completed by Gin Cobbler’s victory in a two-mile Market Rasen handicap chase on Sunday.

Nick Orpwood’s only ride on the card was a winning one on Simply Lucky in the open maiden race. Always lying handy, the eight year old picked off his rivals one by one on the final circuit before drawing clear after the last to beat the favourite, Matthew Man, by three lengths.

Orpwood said of the Emma Reed-trained gelding: "He has come on a lot since finishing fourth behind Active in Milan at Alnwick last month and was always travelling well. He loved the heavy ground and found plenty when it mattered."

After running in two opens and a club members' race at Alnwick earlier in the season, De Bee Keeper appreciated the drop in class when taking the members' race under Kelly Bryson. The nine-year-old led at the last and gradually extended his advantage over stable companion, Lord Of The Course, to win in great style by 20 lengths.

Bought privately last year by Jackie Emmerton, the winner and runner-up are trained at Manfield, near Piercebridge, by Wendy Wilson.

On his first start for owner/trainer/rider, Alice Dawson, Ballyvesey struck gold in the ladies' open Race. The 12-year-old kept Quel Elite at bay from four out in a prolonged duel to score by half a length.

This was his 67th career start under all codes and almost eight years to the day since he got off the mark on his pointing debut in Ireland on heavy going. Having won the men’s open here last year under previous owner/trainer/rider, Drew Holmes, he will appreciate carrying 14lb less in ladies' open contests.

Having started his career in France as a four year old and being well used to heavy going, The Highlander was in his element in the John Peel Trophy men’s open race and made every yard of the running under John Dawson, husband of Alice, before coasting home seven lengths ahead of Auldthunder in the hands of Hexham MP Guy Opperman.

The Cumberland Farmers Point-to-Point committee deserve plenty of praise in pressing ahead with the meeting which had been in serious doubt earlier in the week due to heavy rain. Race times were more than 40 seconds slower than standard, indicating that conditions were some of the most testing seen at Dalston for many years.

Leading awards:

Members' race – 1, De Bee Keeper (Miss K Bryson) 3/1, 2, Lord Of The Course (A Glass), 3, Lethiratit (R Wilson), 5 ran, 20, dist, Jackie Emmerton (Cumberland Farmers).

Restricted – 1, My Lady West (C Alexander) 5/2 fav, 2, Nelly La Rue (Miss C Crane), 3, Beyond The Glen (R Smith), 10 ran, 3,8, Victor Thompson (Percy).

Ladies' open – 1, Ballyvesey (Mrs A Dawson) Evens fav, 2, Quel Elite (Miss a Waugh), 3, Carters Rest (Miss J Walton), 3 Ran, 0.5,12, Alice Dawson (Hurworth).

Men’s open – 1, The Highlander (J Dawson) 1/2 fav, 2, Auldthunder (G Opperman), Only 2 finished, 4 ran, 7, Richard Morris (Middleton).

NPPA club members' race – 1, Royal Chatelier (J Alexander) 7/4, 2, Sounds Of Italy (C Alexander), 3, S For Estuary (D Delahunt), 6 ran, 1, dist, Jamie Alexander (Fife).

Open maiden – 1, Simply Lucky (N Orpwood) 8/1, 2, Matthew Man (Miss C Walton), 3, Brown Trix (C Alexander), 10 Ran, 3, 3, Philip and Joyce Smith (Haydon).