THE FINAL LEAP: David Mansell makes the final jump on Cottage River as the duo storm to victory in the Lady Dudley Cup. Ref: NT05610
THE Lady Dudley Cup, one of the four major prizes in the point-to-point season, went outside the area to Berkley, after the success of Peter and Liza Hall's Cottage River in Saturday's big race at Chaddesley Corbett.
Elmley Lovatt-based Martin Oliver has extensive contacts in Ireland and he was asked by the Halls to find them another horse after the victories they enjoyed with Why Connie in 2007.
Having committed a long way from home, jockey David Mansell was pushing the eight-year-old along to maintain their advantage as they made the climb into the home straight, where Irilut, last year's winner, began to make his bid for double glory.
Cottage River skipped over the third last and the gap over his pursuers began to increase, but it was evident Irilut was not going to repeat his success. They held a healthy advantage at the penultimate but Dai Jones's mount Cannon Bridge began to look threatening as Irilut weakened into third place.
Cottage River's stride shortened approaching the last and this coupled with Cannon Bridge's renewed effort had the crowd roaring, but having safely jumped the last, Mansell drove his mount out to claim one of the sport's best pieces of silverware.
The opening Members' set the standard for the rest of the Worcestershire meeting and produced one of the day's best finishes.
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Mikey Harris had taken Carthago, trained a stone's throw from the course by Theresa Morris, to the front at the 13th and they maintained a narrow advantage until challenged over the final two fences.
At one stage it appeared as though Harris's strength would prevail, but he was passed in the last 75 yards by Alex Smith Maxwell and Hi Tech Man. They got the better of her cousin Josephine Banks and Coole Venture by a length and a quarter with Carthargo a head away in third.
"We've got the firmer ground at last," was the post race comment of Himbleton-based owner Katherine Smith Maxwell, while the winning rider was full of praise for trainer Pip Hooley.
Results: Members: Hi Tech Man (11-4), 7 ran.
Confined: Fergals Find (15-8), 8 ran.
Ladies: Oh So Lively (7-4 jf), 7 ran.
Mens: Cottage River (3-1), 8 ran.
Restricted: Orion De Sienne (16-1), 14 ran. Mares: Scare Lotte (1-2 fav).
Maiden - Div I: Alf's Spinney (6-1), 17 ran. Maiden - Div II: Grey Image (9-4 jf), 14 ran.
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