IT was second time lucky for The Rum Mariner at the Teme Valley Hunt point-to-point meeting at Brampton Bryan when, after slipping up in the Confined race, he won the Ladies' Open, writes Graham Saveker.

Partnered by Candy Thomas, The Rum Mariner slipped on the top bend of the course, which was affected by heavy rain on the firm surface, in the Confined race and Good For A Loan followed up his recent Bredwardine win.

The Rum Mariner was then declared, after no injuries were found, to run in the Ladies' Open an hour later.

In an eventful race which saw only two of the runners finish and second-placed Military Man pull up to retrace the course after missing a marker post, the veteran grey was a popular winner for owners Christine and Alan Rogers.

Winning trainer Richard Mathias, who confirmed he is to reduce his training interests next season, said: "We were due a bit of luck and it was deserved."

The Open race saw a win for backers of the 'outsider of three' tactic when Hurricane Andrew, in the colours of champion hurdler Flakey Dove, moved up close to home in the hands of Nick Oliver to deprive the odds on favourite Nevada Gold and Ray Rogers.

With continuing rain and a number of horses slipping on the bends, the stewards, following consultations with a number of jockeys, abandoned the remainder of the meeting on safety grounds.

RESULTS

Hunt: 1 Cwm Bye (M Hammond) 2/1, 2 Stormhill Recruit 4/5, 3 Highway Five 4/1. 3 ran.

Confined: 1 Good For A Loan (A Dalton) 2/1, 2 Illineylad 2/1. Only 2 finished. 4 ran.

Open: 1 Hurricane Andrew (N Oliver) 12/1, 2 Nevada Gold 4/9, 3 Watchit Lad 2/1. 3 ran.

Intermediate: 1 Merger Mania (M Trott). Walked over.

Ladies: 1 The Rum Mariner (C Thomas) 5/4, 2 Military Man 5/2. Only 2 finished. 4 ran.

Restricted: 1 Coddington Girl (T Stephenson) 4/7, 2 Hugo Henry 14/1, 3 Nouvalari 6/1. 6 ran.