LEDBURY-BASED Julian Pritchard inched ever closer to becoming the most successful point-to-point jockey in the history of the sport with a treble at the Ludlow Hunt meeting at Bitterley, writes Graham Saveker.

Wins on Martin Ossie in the Men's Open, Fergals Find in a division of the Maiden, and Vicars Lad in the Restricted Open took him on to the 344-winner mark and one short of equalling the all-time record held of retired East Anglian rider David Turner.

The Dick Baimbridge trained Martin Ossie was an impressive six-length winner in the 12-runner Open and connections have now earmarked the John Corbett Hunter chase at Stratford as their end-of-season target for their progressive winner.

The race of the day was the Ladies' Open which saw Upton Adventure, Golfagent and Titus Bramble renew opposition.

Emma James, aboard Upton Adventure, stretched the five-runner field from the flag to try to stretch her rivals.

Then a blunder at the final fence seemed to have given the initiative to her two main rivals but, in a thrilling finish, James forced Upton Adventure up on the line to snatch a head victory from Golfagent, with Titus Bramble a further head away in third place.

RESULTS

Confined: 1 Galway (N Oliver) 9/4, 2 Stormhill Stag 16/1, 3 Lima Bravo 7/1. 17 ran.

Open: 1 Martin Ossie (J Pritchard) 4/11 fav, 2 Act in Time 9/2, 3 Lough Ennal 9/2. 12 ran.

Maiden 5, 6, 7 yo (Div 1, Part 1): 1 George Blest (E Walker) 14/1, 2 Ballydoyle Counsel 8/1, 3 Trolley Dolley 4/1. 11 ran.

Maiden 5,6,7 yo (Div 1, Part 2): 1 Crested Penguin (A Wintle) 11/2, 2 Presental 4/5 Fav, 3 Classic Revival 14/1. 10 ran.

Maiden 5,6,7 yo (Div 2): 1 Fergals Find (J Pritchard) 5/2 fav, S Selassie 6/1, 3. Puslin 14/1. 14 ran.

Ladies: 1 Upton Adventure (E James) 4/5 fav, 2 Golfagent 9/4, 3 Titus Bramble 4/1. 5 ran.

Restricted: 1 Vicars Lad (J Pritchard) Evs fav, 2 Lockington 12/1, 3 Whatamonkey 16/1. 12 ran.

Maiden 8 yo Up: 1 Waggy (D Mansell) 9/2, 2 Jerroboam 7/2, 3 Diamond Alpha 25/1. 17 ran.

n Shobdon trainer Steve Flook struck at the Cotswold Vale Farmers meeting at Maisemore Park, saddling the first two home in the young horse Maiden race with victory going to the Reece Hughes ridden Miss Brightwell from stable companion Howard Howard.

n Unmistakably confirmed favouritism in the Men's Open race at Monmouthshire Hunt point to point at Llanvapley with an impressive 10-length success in the hands of James Tudor.

RESULTS

Members: 1 Vicars Chalet (H Lewis) 11/8, 2 Inis Cara Evs Fav, 3 Killucan King 6/1, 5 ran.

Confined: 1 Amari (T Faulkner) 7/2, 2 Dexter Gordon 3/1, 3 Speed Board 11/4. 7 ran.

Open: 1 Unmistakably (J Tudor) 1/4 Fav, 2 Velmez 12/1, 3 Chief predator 5/1. 4 ran.

Ladies: 1 Step and Run (J Williams) 2/5 Fav, 2 Poynton Henry 12/1, 3 Breteche 4/1. 12 ran.

Restricted: 1 Boobee (J Cook) 2/5 fav, 2 Cashew Cache 14/1, 3 Abrakdalpha 20/1, 9 ran.

Maiden 5, 6, 7 yo: 1 Kings Euro (W Oakes) 2/1 Fav, 2 Leahy 10/1, 3 Alpine Racer 12/1. 11 ran.