BILLING starred with a scorching performance at the Bilsdale point-to-point at Easingwold after taking a liking to the warm weather and fast going.

Billing, trained by Jacqueline Coward and ridden by Nick Orpwood, took the Mixed Open race in fine style, having seemingly waited all season for the fast conditions. The pair set a strong pace and could not be reeled in.

Laughed Cherry Coward: "He's by Milan, and apparently they want soft ground. Ours doesn't - he wants it firm." .

Rosie Du Berlais was sent off favourite under Christy Furness and finished second, with Drill Sergeant was third.

The opening Hunt Members race had been a disappointing walkover - Cousin Guillaume and Joe Wright the only pair declared to run.

The four, five and six-year-old Maiden saw Nicky Tinkler's Jonagold take centre stage under Richard Smith.

The pair led from the off and, despite been challenged two out by Grove Mountain, the son of Apple Tree found more after the last and stretched clear with ease.

Bought from the Doncaster store sales in 2014 he is likely to return to Doncaster for the May sales in a couple of weeks.

Pertemps Network - in the form of his life at the age of 12 - was another who set a strong gallop in the nine years and up Club Race under John Dawson, before staying on well to beat Know The Rules.

The winner is trained by Ian Mason and after failing to score last season has now scored in his last three races.

The Riders conditions race saw an upset as 33-1 shot Muirhead got up on the run towards the line to give Fi McSharry her first winner.

Trained and owned by Christopher McSharry, Muirhead made good progress on the turn for home and had only long-time leader Drom to fend off.

Muirhead was a class act in his day - he contested last year's Cheltenham Foxhunters and at the height of his career was fifth to Hurricane Fly, narrowly beaten by Brave Inca and beat Cork All Star in a Grade 1 hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The restricted saw another upset as 25-1 shot Oaklands Elise won under Andrew Glass, the pair holding on in a driving finish, with John Dawson and Anddante a head second.

The concluding Open Maiden continued the day's theme with pace-setters stealing the show.

See Mores Finale and Ross Wilson made all the running and, in a tussle up the home straight, fended off Lady Nefertiti and Harry Kinder by half a length.