THE sun smiled on the Acorns Hospice Charity meeting under BHRC rules at Hanley Swan, and the atmosphere was as brilliant as the weather.

Ray and Andrea Cooper, who live only a stones throw from the picturesque track at the foot of the Malvern Hills, were originally introduced to harness racing by Dave Shellam, a member of the tiny but dynamic committee who organized the successful meeting.

The Coopers purchased Diane Thomas' promising two year-old filly, Blackfield Annie just prior to the racing and immediately enjoyed their first winner as owners when she blazed home impressively in a maiden division. The three Cooper children later topped off a perfect family day by taking the first three places in the Junior race.

The Aberystwyth crew made a spirited and jubilant raid on the Worcestershire circuit. Peter O Davies' Symlog Derryn Du flew home in the other division of the maiden in the tender hands of Jason Podmore, while Tosh Davies' John Albert (Roy Wilson) showed that he is indeed a bit special by sprinting to a very speedy Intermediate victory.

The Dilwyn-based Preston family are staunch supporters and they exultant when their recent purchase Saunders Alert put all his problems behind him to storm away with the novice event in convincing style with Peter Preston.

The popular Builth Wells driver Lee Price has only made infrequent appearances on the local circuits, but he usually makes his visits count. He added another win to his collection when Major Current obliged handsomely in the Improver race.

The mile and a quarter handicap heats were high octane affairs. Emma Frieze and her game mare, Briwyn's Sixty Seven began this season as a maiden and quickly established herself as One To Watch. The partnership stamped their authority on the first heat and hurtled to a workmanlike success from stablemate, Briwyn's Jodi (Gareth Price) and Johnny Springbok (David Bevan), who is clearly back to his best.

The top grade heat was stellar sport. Jason Podmore sent his courageous Quality Time to the front and held the determined challenge of the gutsy Medina Hanover for the entire distance. But David Bevan and the electrifying Vyrnwy George burst from the pack on the short run in to just head the duelling mares.

The Final had the crowd screaming and the commentator, Gordon Lyons reaching for the smelling salts. Briwyn's Sixty Seven zipped into an early lead, but looked as if her chance was squandered as she broke gait when challenged by Briwyn's Jodi. The field spread across the track in a no-holds barred finish up the home stretch, with no fewer than six horses in with a chance of grabbing the glory. But when the judges finished their deliberations with the photo finish, it was Briwyn's Sixty Seven who had answered Emma Frieze's urgings to thrust her nose ahead of Johnny Springbok (Huw Evans), Medina Hanover and Briwyn's Jodi, to capture her sixth success of the season.

Next meeting: Allensmore (Roadside circuit) Sunday 2pm.