DISTANT Thunder, ridden by Richard Burton, confirmed favouritism to take the classic Lady Dudley Cup at the Worcestershire Hunt point to point fixture at Chaddesley Corbett.

Opinion was divided, however, on whether he was a fortunate winner.

Disputing much of the final circuit with Gaelsbob, it seemed the finish would concern only these two but Gaelsbob fell at the third-last fence when a length in front leaving Distant Thunder to cruise home an easy 15-length winner.

Both jockeys involved, Tom Weston and Richard Burton , both felt their respective mounts were going the better but the third-last fence had changed the discussion from reality to conjecture.

Burton then followed that success with a contrasting win aboard Rocklandslad, an ex-Irish point-to-pointer trained by Alison Dare, who prevailed in the tightest of finishes by a head from the Adrian Wintle-ridden History Master.

Claire Allen was another jockey in double form. She scored aboard Percy Mole in the first division of the Maiden race and followed up in the Ladies’ Open race aboard Parsifal who gave a brave trailblazing performance and won by five lengths despite a bad blunder at the second last that would have dislodged many jockeys.

Winning connections’ joy was mooted though as the front-running Parsifal had broken down in the process of defeating her five rivals, although the extent was not known.

RESULTS Hunt Members, 12st (6 ran): 1 Petit Lord (Mrs A Rucker) 4-7 Fav, 2 Carthago 9-2, 3 Haggle Twins 8-1.

Confined, 12st (9 ran): 1 All Things Equal (A Wintle)16-1, 2 Lindberg Law 2-1 Fav, 3 Mr Cee 4-1.

Ladies’ Open, 3m2f 11st (6 ran): 1 Parsifal (C Allen) 3-1, 2 Honest Endeavour 5-4 Fav, 3 Casalani 5-2.

Men’s Open (Lady Dudley Cup), 3m2f 12st5lb (9 ran): 1 Distant Thunder (R Burton) 13-8 Fav, 2 Cannon Bridge 11-2, 3 Wickford 10-1.

Restricted, 12st (17 ran): 1 Rocklandslad (R Burton) 11-8 Fav, 2 History Master 5-1, 3 Smugglars Run 10-1.

Open Maiden (Div 1) 5yo&up, 12st (13 ran): 1 Percy Mole (C Allen) 8-1, 2 Nomadic Dreamer 9-4 Fav, 3 Just Playfull 5-1.

Open Maiden (Div 2) 5yo&up, 12st (14 ran): 1 Babysitter (S Drinkwater) 2-1, 2 Oscar D’Anfron 6-4 Fav, 3 Dun Shah 20-1.

FIRM ground conditions hindered the Croome & West Warwickshire meeting at Upton on Severn with only 29 runners out of 156 entries taking up the option to race.

Jockey David Mansell confirmed his place at the head of the jockeys’ title race when he scored a treble, courtesy of two walkovers and a win aboard Maranach in the three runner Conditions race.

RESULTS Hunt Members, 12st (5 ran): 1 Regal Vision (Miss C Dyson) 5-4F, 2 Jukebox 6-4, 3 Barrels Pal 5-1.

Restricted, 12st (5 ran): 1 Ordis Rise (J Jarrett) 5-4, 2 Handofharperstwon 11-10F, 3 Master Jubb 6-1.

PPORA Club Members Mares Maiden 5yo&up, 11st7lb (6 ran): 1 Oakley Gold (R Spencer) 10-1, 2 Minireturn 3-1, 3 Ataraxia 3-1.

Mixed Open, 12st: 1 Itsalf (D Mansell) Walked over.

WMAC Club Members Conditions, 12st (3 ran): 1 Maranach (D Mansell) 2-5F, 2 Olivier 15-8, 3 The Hearty Jopker 16-1.

Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate, 12st: 1 Mister Kay Bee (D Mansell) Walked Over.

Open Maiden (Div 1) 456&7yo, 2m5f 12st (4 ran): 1 There Ya Go (A Wintle) 1-3F, 2 Leadbrook Lad 7-2, 3 L’aubere 7-1.

Open Maiden (Div 2) 456&7yo, 2m5f 12st (4ran): 1 Pazmo (I Popham) 7-4, 2 Forelands Sands 3-1, 3 Cactus Jack 4-1.