EASTNOR trainer Nickie Sheppard saddled two horses in Division Two of the two-and-a-half maiden to round off an excellent North Ledbury point-to-point meeting at Hereford Racecourse on Sunday.

Umoristic and Duke of Spain hardly merited a mention during the early stages of this contest but they both came through to dispute the lead and had gone clear of their rivals by the second from home.

There was not much between the two stablemates on the home turn or at the last but Umoristic asserted as they raced towards the judge.

The winner was bought privately by connections to replace Lacunae and the experience gained on his previous run at Cocklebarrow, proved vital in the closing stages against Duke of Spain.

The first division of the race went to the Tom Weston trained Tyre Hill Lady who was home bred by Clive Hitchings.

The Hindlip-based trainer is unable to ride at present due to an injury he sustained at the Cheltenham Festival, but Will Telfer proved an ab;e deputy.

Delaying his challenge until the last moment, Telfer moved up onto the outer of his rival on the final bend.

Tyre Hill Lady held a narrow lead at the last before forging clear on the run to the line.

The day had started well for Telfer when he teamed up with Tim Eade's Storridge stable who took the Members with In the Dock.

The favourite took up the running at the sixth and dictated the pace from this point.

Their rivals were always up against it as a five-length advantage at the 14th was quickly extender without any effort and the partnership coasted home to prevail by 25 lengths.

Anger Management and Count Salazar were at the head of affairs with half a mile to run but they could not shake off the attentions of Stone who moved up threateningly approaching the final bend.

Jeremy Mahot sent his mount to the front at the final obstacle and they quickened away from their rivals on the flat.

Other winners included Gauvain in the Ladies Open, Minellacelebratioon in the restricted, Swift Escape in the Confined, Frelia in the Three-mile Maiden (Division 1) and Always a Chance in the Thee-Mile Maiden (Division 2).