THE prevailing firm ground has hit fixtures hard despite the best efforts of organising committees.

This was evident at the North Ledbury Hunt point-to-point fixture at Maisemore Park when only 30 horses went to post for the seven-race card.

There was an upset in the Ladies' Open race when the odds-on favourite Father Tom was surprisingly beaten by the Claire Allen-ridden Run To Space in a five-runner race.

Jockey Tony Martin scored a double after taking the Volkswagon Toureg' sponsored Men's Open race aboard High Rank.

Martin then followed up aboard Taxi Fare in the young horse Maiden race as he was the only finisher in the four-runner field.

Results, Members: 1 China Chase (N Seely) 20/1, 2 Springbrook Girl 4/9 fav. Only two finished. Four ran.

Ladies: 1 Run To Space (C Allen) 7/4, 2 Father Tom, 8/11 fav, 3 I'm Dreaming 25/1. Five ran.

Restricted: Frazers Fortune (G Hall) 7/1, Wixford Venture 10/11 fav, Arctic Summer 5/1. Six ran.

Open: High Rank (A Martin) 10/3, Madam's Man 5/2, High Rudolf 12/1. Four ran.

Intermediate (Nov Riders): Moonlit Knight (G Hall) 5/4 fav, One Dawn 6/1, Murdinga 6/4. Four ran.

Maiden 8yo +: Broken Rose (M Harris) 4/6 fav, Winnick 13/8, The Lady Would 11/2. Three ran.

Maiden 5,6,7 yo 2m 6F: Taxi Fare (A Martin) 6/4 fav. Finished alone. Four ran.