Tim Stockdale proved why he and John Bosher’s Fresh Direct Corlato will be among the favourites for the Horse & Hound Foxhunter when they won the Royston Products Seven-Year-Old Championship from the front.
From first to go in an 11-horse jump-off, Tim put so much pressure on his rivals that those who were faster faulted. Scotland’s Andrew Hamilton had a good try to finish second on the stallion Pall Mall H, while Louise Whitaker — who won last year with Pamone — was a fraction slower in third on the lovely coloured gelding Nureev.
Louise Pavitt had earlier defeated a strong field to take the Unex Corporation Young Riders’ honours on Make Haste V. The pair flew round a twisty jump-off track to jump what proved to be the sole double clear.
Robert Whitaker was second after Liz Hunt’s Karina roled a pole, while Tim Greldey finished third on Omelli, who collected a frustating four faults when being adjudged to have crossed his tracks on the approach to an oxer.
This was a satisfying win for Louise, 18, who won an international class here last year on the 11-year-old chestnut.
“He’ll be going on holiday now, so it’s a lovely way to finish his season,” she said.
Click here to read a report on Wednesday afternoon’s action.
