THERE was a huge crowd at Folkestone for the annual United Hunts meeting, which marked the end of point-to-point racing in the South East Area for the season.

Smarden-based Caroline Taylor had a bitter sweet experience when her horse Millenium Way won the first race of the evening ridden by the area champion rider Philip Hall.

Taylor bought the horse last year to ride herself and has in fact won on five occasions, all in points. But when she applied for a licence to ride under rules, she failed the medical due to shoulder problems received three years ago.

Naturally it was a big disappointment but she was delighted to welcome her horse in the winners enclosure.

Another South East horse to benefit from the conditions was Satchmo, who trounced the opposition under another excellent ride from Philip Hall.

Trained by Di Grissell, Satchmo has now won four races under rules and three points and looks sure to win many more.

SOUTH EAST AREA POINT TO POINT, United Hunts Meeting, Folkestone.

Race 1: Novices Hunters Steeple Chase: 1 Millenium Way (P Hall) 7-2, 2 Exodus (C Gordon) 5-1, 3 Run Monty (M Mackley) 25-1, 8 ran. Winning owner: Mrs C Taylor. Time 6min 26sec, distance 11 lengths and 3.5 lengths. Tote win £4.60, place £1.70, £2.90, £5.40.

Race 2: Grants Cherry Brandy SE Novices Chase: 1 Trade Off (D Jacob) 5-6 fav, 2 Blaze On (P York) 3-1, 3 Badgers Glory (P Hall) 16-1, 7 ran. Winning owner: C Dupont & Mrs A Tory. Time: 5min 11sec. Distance: 3 lengths and 10 lengths.

Race 3: Open Hunters Steeple Chase: 1 Hot Toddy (R Burton) 6-5 fav, 2 Little Farmer (P Hall) 9-4, only two finished, 3 ran. Winning owner: Mr Gilbert and C Hinckley. Time: 6min 14sec. Distance 1.25 lengths. Tote: win £2.10.

Race 4: United Hunts Open Champion Hunters Chase: 1 Maggies Brother (D Barlow) 5-2, 2 Tell Tale (R Morgan) 7-4, 3 Good Vintage (N Bloom) 4-1, 7 ran. Winning owner: Mrs G Shail. Time: 7min 50sec. Distance: 1.25 lengths and 2.5 lengths. Tote: win £3.50, place £2.10, £1.90.

Race 5: Maiden Hunters Steeple Chase: 1 Bell Rock (E Tudor) 8-1, 2 Marchimahish (R Bliss) 10-1, 3 River Bailiff (P York) 14-1, 13 ran. Winning owner: A Hill. Time: 5 min 9 sec. Distance: 5 lengths and 2.5 lengths. Tote: win £4.40, place £5.60, £6.10.

Race 6: Open Hunters Steeple Chase, 1 Satchmo (P Hall) 13-8 fav, 2 Lord of the Flies (J Sole) 6-1, 3 Royal Czarinas (J Snowden) 4-1, 7 ran. Winning owner: G Wragg. Time: 5min 3 sec. Distance: 10 Lengths and 3 lengths. Tote: win £1.10, place £4.30, £6.90.