28 May 2008 Albrighton Woodland - Chaddesley Corbett
David Mansell: secured the West Midland Gentleman Riders' title at the meeting
Chaddesley Corbett could not escape the incessant rain, which swept across the area for most of the afternoon, which meant that only the hardened Point-to-Point enthusiasts remained to the end.
The season has not panned out as originally planned for Dick Baimbridge, but the Berkeley trainer finally got his name on the score sheet when Parsifal prevailed in the Restricted.
The 9-year-old only seems to know one way of running and, as is customary, led the runners as they jumped the roadside fence for the first time. He was 6-lengths clear at one point but Himself Dreams On had reduced the advantage as they jumped the open ditch for the final time.
Given his previous performances the writing looked on the wall when Himself Dreams On led at the 13th, but Claire Allen had the winner back in front at the next and it was Himself Dreams On who started to send out distress signals as they turned into the home straight.
Parsifal then stayed on strongly to provide his trainer with the 499th winner of his career (485 in Points and another 14 in Hunter Chases).
The winner was brought out of Peter Wegmann's Maisemore Park yard by Graham Fisher (who co-owned that wonderful old campaigner Well Ted).
Speaking afterwards Fisher revealed: "the horse has had lymphangitis and a bout of colic which resulted in several visits from the vet - so I never thought of backing him today".
Parsifal had been due to run at Kingston Blount on Sunday but, following overnight rain, Claire Allen received a phone call from Alan Hill to say if the horse wanted firm ground don't come.
Baimbridge must have had high hopes of landing his 500th winner as Equivocate held a useful advantage turning into the home straight in the Maiden, but a mistake at the third from home tilted the table back in Mels Moment's favour and he secured victory with a good jump at the last.
This was the first training success for Weobley farrier Rob Lowe, who has spent a considerable amount of his life in Africa but has recently returned to Herefordshire where he acquired the 6-year-old from Ullingswick trainer Richard Price.
This victory provided a first success for Price's 19-year-old son Marcus who has considerable experience both under Rules and between the flags.
The meeting attracted runners from far and wide and several horses that had travelled long distances were rewarded for their efforts, although the Members race went to Jane Williams' mount Sapega who is based at her mother Diana's yard at Enville between Kidderminster and Bridgenorth.
Phil Needham and Philtre attempted to repeat last year's success, but they were never able to get on terms with the winner who drew clear on the climb into the home straight.
Andy Hobbs had a significant amount of ground to make up on Fergal O'Brien in the Trainers' Championship but the Hanley Swan trainer had cause for optimism after Premium First beat the favourite We're Confused in the Club Members Conditions race.
The latter was never jumping with his usual fluency and lost ground at several fences, while the same could not be said of Premium First who relished the conditions.
Adrian Wintle's mount held a narrow lead turning into the home straight, but their advantage increased when We're Confused made another error at the third from home and after that he was always fighting a losing battle.
Hobbs and owner Clive Hitchings both agreed that the ground was the key to the winner's success. David Mansell returned with a blood splattered face as a result of a clash with the runners up head during the course of the race, but he was unconcerned as the 5 points secured in this contest allowed him to narrow the gap on his principal rival Mark Wall in the area Gentleman Riders' Championship.
Hobbs added more points to his tally later in the afternoon, but Fergal O'Brien ended the season with the title of Leading Trainer.
"It was a gamble worth taking" was the comment of trainer Patrick Hutchinson after High Gear had triumphed in the Ladies' Open under his daughter Gemma.
The 10-year-old is a full brother to Albertas Run, who has won numerous races under Rules, but his present connections were able to secure the horse from previous trainer Jonjo O'Neill.
High Gear had won at Garthorpe on Saturday, but it would have been a close run thing if the leader Clever Liz had not bungled away her chance at the final obstacle.
Trainer Robert Luke was rewarded for his 4½ hour journey up from Haverfordwest after Seaforde prevailed in the Men's Open under Rhys Hughes.
The 10-year-old was acquired from Mouse Morris at Doncaster in August 2007 for current owners Paddy and Wynn Davies, but apart from winning his Members race has been pulled up on a number of occasions. He showed improved form at Bredwardine recently and connections now seem to have sorted out his problems.
He hit the front on the climb out of the back straight and fought off a succession of challenges by the runner up Magicien all the way down the home straight.
Mr Cee and Nick Oliver led throughout the second circuit of the Intermediate and had opened up a race winning lead as they turned back to face the judge.
David Mansell's mount Deep Hall lost his place quickly at this point, but stayed on strongly down the home straight to secure second place and claim the area title for the Bishops Cleeve based rider.
