Cottage River claims Lady Dudley Cup

1:34pm Friday 25th April 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

COTTAGE River, trained by Julie Houldey and ridden by David Mansell, was the determined winner of the Lady Dudley Cup at the Worcestershire Hunt point-to-point meeting at Chaddesley Corbett, writes GRAHAM SAVEKER.

Irilut, last year’s winner, was sent off the 9/4 favourite in the eight runner field and his jockey Sam Waley-Cohen was content to bide his time as first Gentle Rivage and then Cottage River set a strong pace from the outset.

The favourite made his move at the fifth-last fence as Mansell and Cottage River set sail for home, but his challenge ended early and it was left to Welsh challenger Canon Bridge and Dai Jones to throw down the challenge over the final two fences.

Despite tiring badly at the final fence, Cottage River kept on gallantly for Mansell to record a length-and-a-quarter win.

Trained by Julie Houldey at North Nibley for owners Peter and Lisa Hall, the winner had previously been described by Houldey as an out-and-out stayer and this proved to be his strength.

When questioned afterwards about being worried about the challenge of Canon Bridge, Mansell, now based at Bishops Cleeve near Cheltenham, but with many Herefordshire connections said: “No, I wasn’t worried I was frightened to death, but my horse has kept on well and this is a great result!” Mansell, fresh from a riding treble at the Ludlow Hunt meeting last week, scored another double when he also took the final Maiden race aboard Grey Image, who got up close home to deprive Max’s Coice.

Mansell just missed another treble when his mount Deep Hall was beaten a head in the Restricted Open race by Orion De Sienne.

A bad mistake at the fifth-last seemed to have ruined Deep Hall’s chance but Mansell conjured another run out of his mount who was sent off the 7/4 favourite but they had to give best to Orion De Sienne ridden by Adrian Wintle.

RESULTS Members: 1.0 Hi Tech Man(A Smith Maxwell) 11/4, 2. Coole Venture 14/1, 3. Carthago 7/4 Fav. 7 ran.

Confined: 1. Fergals Find (R Morgan) 15/8, 2. Hambaphambil Evs Fav, 3. Sapega 16/1. 8 ran.

Ladies: 1. Oh So Lively (C Hart) 7/4 jt Fav, 2. Blue Business 7/4 Fav, 3. Back to Ben Alder 9/2. 7 ran.

Lady Dudley Cup: 1. Cottage River (D Mansell) 3/1, 2. Canon Bridge 9/2, 3. Irilut 9/4 Fav. 8 ran.

Restricted: 1. orion De Sienne (A Wintle) 16/1, 2. Deep Hall 7/4 fav, 3. Murpheys Fusilier 7/1. 14 ran.

Members Mares: 1. Scare Lotte (C Hobson) 1 / 2 Fav, 2. Clever Liz 6/1, 3. Little Witch 7/1. 6 ran.

Maiden (Div1): Alfs Spinney (M Wall) 6/1, 2. Hop Pocket 8/1, 3. Inch Royal 5/1. 17 ran.

Maiden (Div 2): 1. Grey Image (D Mansell) 9/4 jt Fav, 2. Max’s Choice 9/4 jt Fav, 3. Bag of Bullets 8/1. 14 ran The United Pack point-to-point scheduled for this Saturday at Brampton Bryan boasts an eight race card with 197 entries.

This will be the only fixture of 2008 at the beautiful riverside course, the oldest in the Welsh Border area, as the Teme Valley did not re-schedule their event when it was lost due to flooding.

The first race, the combined Teme Valley and United Members, will be off at 1.30pm, and the fixture is sure to be an entertaining afternoon out in the breathtaking Shropshire countryside.