HINDLIP trainer Martin Weston's successful point-to-pointer Arthur's Secret won the opening race at Worcester's Pitchcroft last night.

The evens favourite stormed to success by six lengths in the Mary Gwillam's Special Birthday Open Hunters' Chase under jockey Abigail Banks.

There were seven contests on the Celtic Marches Cider race night with Devon trainer Nigel Hawke claiming an early double through Deauville Crystal (10/1) and Lord Ballim (14/1).

RESULTS

5.40pm Mary Gwillam's Special Birthday Open Hunters' Chase: 1 Arthur's Secret Evens Fav M H Weston Miss A P Banks, 2 Mirs Choice 33/1 6L Mrs S Bowen Miss S L Bowen, 3 Kit Barry 12/1 2L David Dando Mr Charlie Dando, 4 Vinnie Red 10/3 11L F O'Brien Mr Thomas M O'Brien.

6.15pm Paul 'Charlie' Farley Big Birthday Bash Novices' Chase: 1 Deauville Crystal 10/1 N J Hawke Sean Bowen, 2 Jaleo 11/8 1¾L B Pauling Nico de Boinville, 3 Robin The Raven 10/11 Fav ¾L K C Bailey David Bass, 4 Definately Vinnie 50/1 46L Miss Jane Mathias Conor Ring.

6.45pm Thundering Molly Cider Handicap Chase: 1 Lord Ballim 14/1 N J Hawke Tom Cannon, 2 Fort Gabriel 12/1 NK D G Bridgwater T Scudamore, 3 Conna Cross 6/1 ¾L J Farrelly James Best, 4 Marquis Of Carabas 9/2 Nose David Dennis B Hughes.

7.15pm Celtic Marches 'The Bright Cider Life' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle: 1 Commodore Barry 6/1 K C Bailey David Bass, 2 Rebel Royal 3/1 HD D Skelton Harry Skelton, 3 Victarion 6/4 Fav 4½L P J Hobbs R Johnson, 4 Whitley Neill 11/2 6L D Pipe T Scudamore.

7.45pm Richard Allen, David Hellyar & The Waters Novices' Hurdle: 1 Orchard Thieves 20/1 D Pipe T Scudamore, 2 The Bottom Bar 4/7 Fav 2½L N J Henderson D A Jacob, 3 Little Vic 100/1 13L Miss Amy Murphy Jack Quinlan, 4 Drovers Lane 16/1 57L Miss R Curtis Adam Wedge.

8.15pm Mendola's Mate's Birthday Handicap Hurdle: 1 Sauvignon 5/1 D Skelton Harry Skelton, 2 Eaton Miller 9/2 2L T Symonds J M Davies, 3 Coisa Blanco 14/1 SH Jonjo O'Neill R P McLernon, 4 Duke's Affair 12/1 1L J Scott Matt Griffiths.

8.45pm Brittons & The Helliers Still Believing Mares' Handicap Hurdle: 1 Westerbee 5/1 J W Mullins Daniel Sansom, 2 Mirzam 20/1 9L T Symonds J M Davies, 3 Marvellous Monty 5/2 3L J Farrelly R Johnson, 4 Mrs Burbidge 12/1 5L N P Mulholland T Scudamore.