David Mansell wins on My Lil Ledge at South Hereford Hunt point to point (From Hereford Times)

David Mansell wins on My Lil Ledge at South Hereford Hunt point to point

3:30pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Sport By Graham Saveker

My Lil Ledge and jockey David Mansell took the honours in the Mens Open race when the Welsh Border area point to point season got under way with the South Herefordshire Hunt fixture at Garnons.

Welsh challenger The Vicar was well supported in the market and was sent off a 4/6 favourite to take the six-runner event but the favourite never looked at ease on the track in his front-running role.

When Mansell produced his mount to challenge in the home straight The Vicar had little in reserve and My Lil Ledge stayed on well to record a two-length win. Joint winning owner John de Lisle-Wells said: “He’s not a bad buy for 1,100 guineas from Ascot. He’s really game, I suppose we might look at a hunterchase again now.”

The meeting opened with a debut win for trainer Elsa Buckler, from Hentland, who sent out her only horse Duc de Regniere to take the Members race under rider James Nixon.

The final Maiden race of the day fell to the improving Neighbours Lady, trained by Pat Hanley for North Herefordshire friends John Price and Dave Barrington, who won by an impressive five lengths over the only other finisher Big Georgie.

Results Hunt Members, 12st (5 ran): 1 Duc De Regniere (J Nixon) 11-10F, 2 George Dore 7-4, 3 Silver Adonis 5-1. Time: 6mins 49.7s. Distances: 5l, 1½l.

Ladies Open, 11st (8 ran): 1 Catspan (H Lewis) 6-1, 2 Banbury Babe 20-1, 3 Virginia Preuil 8-1. Time: 6mins 45.7s. Distances: 3½l, 1l.

Restricted, 12st (12 ran): 1 Prof De L’isle (L Payter) 3-1, 2 Pertemps Heights EvensF, 3 Sin E An Capaill 8-1. Time: 6mins 45.3s. Distances: 2¼l, 1½l.

Bonhams Men’s Open, 12st (6 ran): 1 My Lil Ledge (D Mansell) 4-1, 2 The Vicar 4-6F, 3 Hemington 4-1. Time: 6mins 46.7s. Distances: 1½l, 25l.

Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club Members (Nov Rdrs), 12st (8 ran): 1 Nipper John (B Hampson) 7-4F, 2 Hall Kelly 3-1, 3 Maletton 3-1. Time: 6mins 44.0s. Distances: 1½l, 6l.

Open Maiden, 12st (14 ran): 1 Bubbly Breeze (A Galliers-Pratt) 8-1, 2 Very Edgy 5-1, 3 Brooklyn Heights 9-4F. Time: 6mins 50.9s. Distances: 20l, ½l.

Brightwells Open Maiden 456&7yo, 2m4f 12st (12 ran): 1 Neighbours Lady (P John) 5-2F, 2 Big Georgie 6 -1. Only two finished. Time: 5mins 42.2s. Distances: 6l.