THERE was a shock result in the Men's Open at the United Pack point to point meeting at Brampton Bryan when Carthago, ridden by Micky Harris came home a 33/1 winners.

Always at the head of affairs, it seemed as though Carthago was merely making the pace for the well fancied duo of Magicien and Un Jour A Vassey who had been vying for favouritism at the bookmakers.

But it was clear that they would have their work cut out to catch the front-running Carthago and despite tiring over the final two fences he still had three-and-a-half lengths as a winning margin.

Winning rider Harris was unsurprised at the result and said of his mount: "He tried to put himself on the deck three times last time out at Garnons but he's still got ability."

Sixty-nine-year-old Dick Pike returned to the saddle aboard his The Hearty Joker in the Open but sadly the combination came unstuck at the second fence, although luckily the Welsh Border areas secretary stalwart was unhurt and in good spirits afterwards.

The Dick Baimbridge trained and Claire Allen ridden Why Connie was sent off odds-on favourite in the Ladies' Open but they parted company at the third fence and racegoers were treated to a thrilling finish as the Hannah Watson ridden Protagonist took the honours by a head at 16/1 from runner-up Catch The Bus.

Despite the big starting price, the winner was not unfancied on its form under rules.

Bromsash trainer Marilyn Scudamore and rider Jeremy Mahot teamed up in the opening Maiden race with Worship the Stars but the combination were beaten by the Peter Corbett owned and Liam Payter ridden Upton Legend who quickened up well off the final bend and poached a lead Worship the Stars could not peg back by a head.

Mahot and Scudamore had compensation half an hour later when their Irish purchase Mr Goofy took the second division.

Champion jockey elect Richard Burton continued his march towards another title with a win aboard Olympic Storm in the Confined race, although it was by an unimpressive and shrinking margin of two lengths from the chasing Rain Delay.

The concluding two-and-a-half mile Maiden races saw a double for jockey Mark Wall with wins aboard Campden Annie and the Rainbow Man.

RESULTS Maiden (Div 1): 1 Upton Legend (L Payter) 11/4, 2 Worship the Stars 6/4 Fav, 3 A Proper Charlie 12/1. 9 ran.

Maiden (Div 2): 1 Mr Goofy (J Mahot) 2/1 jf, 2 Waindale Flyer 20/1, 3 Top Gale 7/21. 9 ran.

Open: 1 Carthago (M Harris) 33/1, 2 Un Jour A Vassey 5/2, 3 Magicien 9/4 Fav. 8 ran.

Ladies' Open: 1 Protagonist (H Watson) 16/1, 2 Catch the Bus 5/1, 3 Captain Rawlings 9/1. 12 ran.

Confined: 1 Olympic Storm (R Burton) 6/4 Fav, 2 Rain Delay 20/1, 3 Lathyrus 7/2, 10 ran.

Restricted: 1 Kildare Minor (O Greenall) 3/1, 2 Copper Mist 6/1, 3 Black Leopard 7/4 Fav. 7 ran.

Maiden 2m 4F (Div 1): 1 Campden Annie (M Wall) 2/1, 2 Professor Hegarrty, 10/11 Fav, 3 Firebird Rising 4/1. 4 ran.

Maiden 2m 4F (Div 2): 1 The Rainbow Man (M Wall) 4/1, 2 Jacobin 9/2, 3 Lord of the Knar 4/5 Fav. 6 ran.