A HUGE crowd enjoyed some top class racing at the Worcestershire point-to-point meeting held at Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday.

The feature event, the Lady Dudley Cup, went to the favourite Distant Thunder who travelled up from the South and West Wiltshire country and who was ridden by leading jockey Richard Burton.

The race developed into a battle between Gaelsbob and Distant Thunder during the final half mile, with the former holding a narrow lead until falling at the third last, leaving the favourite in an unassailable lead.

The afternoon began well for the Himbleton, Droitwich, stable of William and Angela Rucker who took the Members with Petit Lord.

She got a good run up the inside on the final bend and while Tom Weston was hard at work on Carthargo, Mrs Rucker was sitting motionless and went on to score an easy success.

This was Angela’s eighth win of the season and surpassed her previous best total. “It’s always nice to win a race at your home meeting,” she said.

Later she and Honest Endeavour finished runners up in the Ladies Open behind Parsifal.

There was a surprise result in the Confined, which resulted in a pillar to post victory for Adrian Wintle’s mount All Things Equal, who led from the start and who had been off the course for 18 months.

The results Members:1 Petit Lord 4-7 F, 2 Carthago, 3 Haggle Twins. 6 ran Confined: 1 All Things Equal 16-1, 2 Lindbergh Law, 3 Mr Cee. 9 ran Ladies Open: 1 Parsifal 3-1, 2 Honest Endeavour, 3 Casalani. 6 ran Mens Open: 1 Distant Thunder 13-8F, 2 Cannon Bridge, 3 Wickford 9 ran.

Restricted: 1 Rocklandslad 11-8F, 2 History Master, 3 Smugglers Run. 17 ran Open Maiden (Div1) 1 Percy Mole 8-1, 2 Nomadic Dreamer, 3 Just Playfull.13 ran Open Maiden (Div 2). 1 Babysitter 2-1, 2. Oscar D'Angron, 3.Dun Shah. 14 ran