A shock 20-1 upset in the feature event, the £1,000 Timico Mixed Open, was the highlight of Sunday’s Dunston Harriers Point-To-Point, which survived a 10a.m. inspection, frost, rain and mist to reward a crowd of hardy enthusiasts with some excellent racing, as 65 runners contested its seven steeplechases.

The Mixed Open surprise was down to the father and son partnership of trainer Tim Thirlby and his son William, from Grendon, in Warwickshire, and their doughty 13-year-old gelding, Arkose.