THERE was an encouraging start to the season last weekend with a 15-race card at the Tregaron Spring Festival.

Local trainers and drivers held their own against raiders from all over the UK and Ireland, with Sarah Mould striking the first blow by taking a maiden event with stable favourite Zorro.

David Bevan opened his season with a double, scoring in a Grade 1 (novice) event with Meet n’ Greet, and taking a grade 2&3 division with Springfield Disraeli.

Roy Wilson had to shake up the talented filly, Points West to prevail by a neck from Rhyds Heartbeat (Mick Lord) and she looks a lot to look forward to for her connections.

Cardiff breeder, Anthony Fettah, who stands the Standardbred stallion, Immortalized had a memorable day.

His home-bred gelding Squaw’s Fella skated through the sticky ground for an easy victory, and watched with satisfaction as the progeny of Immortalized filled the top three places in the competitive first heat of the Spring Handicap, Eternal Lobell (Mark Jones), Mahogany Import (Colin Bevan) and Ja Ja Binks (Wesley Jones).

The pace of the Free For All was fast and furious and Yorkshire-based Mystery Man blazed ahead at the wire to give Vikki Gill a double.

Eternal Lobell and Mahogany Import set a good pace in the Spring Handicap Final but Ja Ja Binks called on reserves of stamina and looked as if he had the prestigious race at his mercy before the gallant mare, Laneside Lexus (Rocker Laidler) swooped with a challenge from the rear to just deny him and make it a treble for the Laidler stables. Next meeting: Allensmore, Sunday 2 pm start.