It was a day for mudlarks when the Essex Farmers and Union hosted the first of this year's point-to-points at Marks Tey on Saturday.

The going, officially soft with heavy patches, took its toll on many of the 90 runners, and invited a description from Jason Merry, winning jockey on Faha Gig in the opening race, the Members, as "like riding through a sticky pudding".

The in-form horses of Hertfordshire trainer Katya Pilkington produced another champagne party in the handlers horse box after the enigmatic Physical Fun romped home by a distance in Division One of the Maiden.

Jockey Alex Harvey had told me at Higham last month: "If he starts, he'll win easily -- his problem is deciding whether or not he wants to take part!"

Tombola and Annmarinan increased this season's winning tally for Pytchley trainer Caroline Bailey, the former producing an impressive performance to land the Men's Open under Ben Pollock -- crossing the line before second placed Coolvawn Lady had jumped the last -- while Annmarinan did well to hold the late challenge of Village Copper in the Restricted Open.

Long-shot Bramblehill Buck came from nowhere to take up the running in a very competitive Confined race, storming up the final hill in front of Ballyriot and evens-favourite Remilan.

Other winners on the day included My Best Man who improved upon his recent form to win the Ladies Open by an easy 15 lengths under owner/trainer/rider Lawney Hill, and Insulate, who won a decimated Mares only race.

Seven went to post but the testing ground proved too much for most and only two finished, Verity Valentine coming second, but only after two attempts at clearing the last.

George Cooper, a veteran of the East Anglian racing scene and something of a course specialist at Marks Tey, produced the 6-4 on favourite, Southern Radar, to land Division Two of the Maiden race by a distance from Ziasan in the final contest of the day.

Over they go . . there is a battle for the lead in the Mid-Essex Gravel Ladies' Open Race at Saturday's point-to-point meeting at Marks Tey.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.