IT was veteran pointer Better Future and jockey Tim Stephenson who took the plaudits at the South Herefordshire meeting at Garnons as the 14-year-old recorded another course win in the Men's Open.

Often reluctant to race, Better Future was in a co-operative mood from the start and travelled sweetly in response to Stephenson's urgings over the final three fences to record a battling neck victory over Parahandy, with Court Leney back in third place.

This was Better Future's 14th career win and even Stephenson, scoring his third seasonal win, was surprised by the horse's obliging run.

Sixteen-year-old Newent schoolboy John Kington marked his first-ever ride by winning the opening Members race aboard the ex-chaser Carried Interest. He just got the better of Jason Cook on Abrakadalpha by a neck.

This was first win for trainer Marilyn Scud-amore since she moved to her new base at Bromsash, near Ross.

The judge was again called into action in the Confined race as three horses came to the last with every chance of success. But it was Lorna Brooke, aboard 20/1 shot Joshua's Vision, who just gained the honours from Julian Pritchard on Fundy, with Belle Derriere a further length back in third.

RESULTS

Members: 1 Carried Interest (J Kington) 5/4F, 2 Abrakadalpha 8/1, 3 Henry Bruce 7/4. 6 ran.

Confined: 1 Joshua's Vision (L Brooke) 20/1, 2 Fundy 9/4, 3 Belle Derriere 16/1.7 ran.

Ladies: 1 Upton Adventure (E James) 1/3F, 2 No Fiddling 5/1, 3 Veredarius 16/1 6 ran.

Restricted: 1. Coldabri (S Evans) 10/1, 2 Musical Tassel 7/1, 3 Uncle Tom 16/1. 17 ran.

Open: 1 Better Future (T Stepehenson) 3/1, 2 Parahandy 2/1, Court Leney 11/4. 8 ran.

PPORA: 1 General Custer (E Williams) 9/4, 2 Saywhen 25/1, 3 Celtic Town 25/1. 9 ran.

Maiden 2m 4F, Div 1: 1 Lough Dante (S Hughes) 5/2F, 2 Huntersway 4/1, 3 Bobs Lad 10/1. 9 ran.

Div 2: 1 Wave Back (R Langely)2/1F, 2 Beachamp Brook 9/4. Only two finished. 9 ran.