A SURPRISE thunderstorm at the South Herefordshire Hunt meeting under BHRC rules on the Allensmore circuit did not deter the crowds, and there were certainly some lightning performances during the afternoon.

Owner Iuan Jones-Evans had a day to remember with his first winner under BHRC rules when Bon Lili sprinted through the maiden field under a typically determined drive from Patrick Morris. It was particularly gratifying as Bon Lili had suffered a freak accident earlier in her career which had required her nostril to be painstakingly repaired.

Forest of Dean man John Hammonds was delighted at his change of luck when visiting the winners' enclosure with his home-bred Forest Tombo in the other division.

Libanus-based Emma Frieze continued her golden run, keeping her nerve with Brian Davies' Briwyn's Starlight to beat off all challengers in the Novice event.

Dave Shellam, who devoted so much time to promoting the charity meeting at Hanley Swan the previous week, got his just reward when Drovers Gold rocketed up the outside with Colin Bevan to snatch late glory in the competitive improver race.

Lyn Mould, having lost her lorry in a RTA en route to the races earlier this season, has shown great fortitude in the face of transport difficulties, but the gremlins struck again with a breakdown on the way to Allensmore. But Pru's Panther made light of having to be ushered into a strange lorry in a violent thunderstorm and later battled clear with Sarah Mould for a creditable triumph in a hot intermediate race.

Brecon handler Geraint Phillips has recently become engaged to Julie Bevan, and may have caused a ripple in the wedding plans when his charge Barney (Huw Thomas) bettered Julie and her own Northern Sky by a mere head in the non-winners' handicap.

The race times got increasingly quicker, and Davie Crockett's victory with Lee Price in the top grade mile set the pulses jumping, but the best was yet to come.

The Biotal Equine Gold Free For All, part of a top class series during the season, attracted a select field, which was headed by Shadow Dancer and Gareth Price as the starting gate sped away.

But the mighty Fearless JR and Richard Owens felt the echoes of many poignant victories on this home track, and were ever stalking with menace.

Turning for home, with both Simon and Medina Hanover making mistakes, Fearless JR accelerated effortlessly to land his third race of the series and clock the fastest time of the day.

Next fixture: Classic Cup Meeting, Allensmore, Saturday and Sunday, 2 pm.

RESULTS

Going: Firm.

Non-winners of £250 in last five runs Open Handicap: 1 Barney (Huw Thomas); 2 Northern Sky (Julie Bevan) 10 yds; 3 Scoots Master (Gareth Price). 2:12.5. Head, 1L. 8 ran. Owned and trained by Geraint Phillips, Brecon.

Maiden, Div 1: 1 Forest Tombo (John Hammonds); 2 Ystwyth Shon (Cliff Beaumont-Dowse); 3 Teifi M (A Evans). 2:12.3. 3L, 2L. 9 ran. Owned and trained by John Hammonds, Forest of Dean.

Div 2: 1 Bon Lili (Patrick Morris); 2 Highbrooks Awesome (Colin Bevan); 3 Dreamin' (Joanne Taff). 2:14.5. 1L, neck. Owned by I Jones-Evans, trained by M Richards, Aberystwyth.

Novice: 1 Briwyn's Starlight (Emma Frieze); 2 Cerion San San (Joanne Taff); 3 Wellfield Max (David Bevan). 2:12.0. Sht hd, 2L. 9 ran. Owned and trained by Brian Davies, Sennybridge.

Improver: 1 Drovers Gold (Colin Bevan ); 2 Best Man (Gareth Price); 3 Felon (Joanne Taff). 2:10.3. 1L, 2L. 10 ran. Owned and trained by Dave Shellam, Callow End.

Intermediate: 1 Pru's Panther (Sarah Mould ); 2 Cerion Ecology (Dylan Lloyd-Jones); 3 Eli (Brett Strickland). 2:8.7. 2L, 1L. 9 ran. Owned and trained by Brian Mould, Penkridge.

Open Handicap Mile, Div 1:1 Sherman's Pasha (Roy Wilson); 2 Briwyn's Jodi (Gareth Price); 3 Billy Baron (Cliff Beaumont-Dowse). 2:6.8. nk, 7L. 10 ran. Owned by Brenda Llewellin, trained by Mark Lloyd, Winforton.

Div 2 (handicap reduced by 10 yds): 1 Davie Crockett (Lee Price); 2 I Am The Man (Sarah Mould); 3 Quality Time (Jason Podmore) 20 yds. 2:7.5. 31/2L, 1L. 10 ran. Owned by Linda and Robin Price, trained by Lee Price, Builth Wells.

Free For All: 1 Fearless JR (Richard Owens); 2 Shadow Dancer (Gareth Price); 3 Medina Hanover (Emma Frieze). 2:5.5. 2L, 20L. 4 ran. Owned and trained by Richard Owens, Allensmore.