THE Ceredigion Trotting Club fixture at Aberystwyth was an outstanding success on Sunday, despite the persistent rain.

The conditions certainly did not dampen the enthusiasm of the huge crowd, who enjoyed a card of 15 competitive races, culminating in an electrifying final with £3,000 to the winner.

The first top-grade heat had the spectators screaming, and it was surely the most exciting race seen in Wales & West this season.

Bursting clear of the melee of class horses, Brecon-based Gareth Price and his own Shadow Dancer battled fiercely with Sara Mould with the family favourite, Morfa Duke, the heroic Bon Major and Lee Price hot on their heels from his 30-yard trail.

All three flashed over the line together and, after lengthy deliberation, the judges found it impossible to separate Shadow Dancer and Morfa Duke, calling a dead heat with Bon Major a mere head away in third.

All three drivers are 23 years of age and have been leading newcomers in Wales & West in past seasons.

Ten runners went to post for the £3,000 final and, turning for home, it looked as if Price, partnering his other horse, Master Chance, and Mould would be duelling for the honours again.

But Morfa Duke, relishing the demanding conditions, had the stamina to blaze clear, with Scoots Messenger and Mark Pritchard running on into second.

Sara Mould is usually quiet and reserved, but she was overcome with emotion following the splendid victory.

RESULTS

Going: slow (all races over one mile).

Red Lion Talsarn Maiden Pace Div 1: 1 Gamblin (Joanne Taff), 2 Saunders Action (Huw Thomas), 3 Leckwith China Boy (Gary Wakefield). 2-23.1. 1 l, l. 9 ran. Owned by Cynthia Taff, trained by Joanne Taff, Cannock.

Woods Building Supplies Maiden Pace, Div 2: 1 Ceirion Ecology (Dylan Lloyd-Jones), 2 Medina Hanover (Emma Frieze), 3 Henry Hill (Steve Lees). 2-24.1. 1l, 1l. 7 ran. Owned and trained by Delwyn Thomas, Lampeter.

Cliff and Gareth Dowse Maiden Pace, Div 3: 1 C U Sooty (Dylan Lloyd-Jones), 2 Kentucky Silk (Steve Lees), 3 Danny The Rhiew (Roy Wilson). 2-21.5. 1l, 8l. 5 ran. Owned by G Morgan, trained by Dylan Lloyd-Jones, Llanbister.

Doren Davies Memorial Novice Pace, Div 1: 1 Miss Ela (Joss Edwards); 2 Festive Scooter (Megan Taff); 3 Sum Fella (Steve Lees). 2-19.3. Head, 4l. 8 Ran. Owned by M Jones, trained by Joss Edwards, North Wales.

Jewson Novice Pace, Div 2: 1 Autumn Rose (Huw Thomas), 2 Northern Sky (Julie Bevan), 3 Ceirion Cardi (Roy Wilson). 2-17.2. 6l, 9 ran. Owned and trained by A Morris, Dyfed.

Ceredigion Open Handicap, Heat 1: 1 Tsar (Joss Edwards), 2 Wrekin Rock On (Mark Pritchard), 3 Saunders Benz (Huw Thomas). 2:15.3. 3L, 1/2L. 7 ran. Owned by Handy & Workman, trained by Joss Edwards.

Heat 2: 1 Perfect Gem (Derek Harley), 2 JJ Jules (Dylan Lloyd-Jones), 3 Heathers Way (David Bevan). 2-19.2. 2l, l. 6 ran. Owned by Dennis Meredith, trained by Austin Harley, Aberedw.

Heat 3: 1 Hilltopgoldrush (Paul Holden), 2 Master Chance (Gareth Price), 3 Disraeli Diamond (Huw Thomas). 2-20.1. Neck, l. 6 ran. Owned and trained by Paul Holden, Stoke-On-Trent.

Heat 4 (handicap reduced by 10 yds): =1 Shadow Dancer (Gareth Price) 10 yds, Morfa Duke (Sara Mould) 10 yds, 3 Bon Major (Lee Price) 30 yds. 2-15.9. Dead Heat, neck. 8 ran. Shadow Dancer owned and trained by Gareth Price, Brecon. Morfa Duke owned and trained by Brian Mould, Levedale.

Heat 5 (handicap reduced by 10 yds): 1 Linden (Joss Edwards) 10 yds, 2 Scoots Messenger (Mark Pritchard), 3 Fearless Betty II (Libby Lloyd). 2-16.2. 1 l, 2l. 8 ran. Owned by Handy and Workman, trained by Joss Edwards, North Wales.

Wyn Thomas Improver Race: 1 Fletcher (Colin Bevan), 2 Follow The Dollar (Nina Morgan), 3 Double Top (Huw Thomas). 2-21.0. l, 1l. 8 ran. Owned and trained by Cecil Richards, Builth Wells.

Gordon Lyons Intermediate Race: 1 Factory Bacardi (Roy Wilson), 2 Johnny Springbok (David Bevan), 3 Mahogany Princess. 2-17.6. 2l, l. 4 ran. (Patchpiece Gypsy withdrawn under starters orders). Owned by Fred Baker, trained by Roy Wilson, Llanbister.

Ceredigion Three-year-old Colts Pace: 1 Bon Samuel (Megan Taff), 2 Scoot Sixty Six (Sara Mould), 3 Medina Hanover (Emma Frieze). 2-21.8. 5l, 7l. 5 ran. Owned by John Gray, trained by Dave Taff, North Wales.

Cardigan House Millenium Classic Final: 1 Morfa Duke (Sara Mould), 2 Scoots Messenger (Mark Pritchard), 3 Linden (Joss Edwards). 2-16.8. 4l, 1l. 10 ran. Owned and trained by Brian Mould, Levedale.

Next meeting: Saturday: Glos & Dist TC at Tirley, 2pm.

WALES AND BORDER COUNTIES RA RADNOR MEETING

Novice Final: 1 Duggan's Trickster (Derek Pritchard), owned Lloyd Clifford, trained by Pritchard, Rhosgoch. 2-37.99, 2 Ebony Princess, 3 Suzie Lobell.

Grade B Final: 1 Misty Wood (Wayne Knox), owned and trained by Wellings, Ludlow. 2-41.19, 2 Saunders Christie, 3 Precious Yankee.

Grade A Final: 1 Perfect Spirit (Geraint Lloyd), owned and trained by Lloyd, Painscastle. 2-38.64, 2 Quickstep, 3 Lakeside Dazzler.

Six Furlongs: 1 Blackbird (Raymond Lloyd), owned and trained by Lloyd, Kington. 1-35.07, 2 Golden Greek, 3 Morning Glory.