DISPATCHES FROM THE SOUTH AND WEST MIDLANDS: 7 DECEMBER

With the first West Mercian Area fixture taking place at Chaddesley Corbett on Sunday, it was no surprise that locally qualified, trained and ridden horses were out in force and among the winners.

Star of the show was the Tom Britten-trained Ocean Drifter, who put up a fine front-running performance under last season’s female novice champion Clara Brewitt to take the Mixed Open.

A determined Clara Brewitt and Ocean Drifter take the Mixed Open

Not far behind in terms of quality was Midnight River, formerly useful under rules for Dan Skelton and now in the care of his sister-in-law Bridget (nee Andrews), a former champion rider between the flags and subsequently a successful professional, making her return to the point-to-point training ranks after a decade’s absence. Despite sweating up in the paddock, he took the PPORA Conditions Race comfortably in the hands of Heidi Palin.

Midnight River and Heidi Palin en route to victory

The third West Mercian winner on the card was Couer D’Alene (yes, the spelling is correct!) who was an easy winner of what looked like a decent Restricted for trainer Chris Barber, continuing his excellent start to the season, and champion jockey James King.

Another current champion, Gina Andrews, emulated her sister Bridget by training a winner on the card, Entity Of Substanz in the closing Maiden. She also rode the gelding, another who used to be trained by Dan Skelton.

South Midlands raiders had opened their account on the day in the previous contest, the PPORA Novice Riders Conditions Race, where Hubrisko – who made most of the running under a fine ride – gave a first success to Cerys Sheehy, who works for trainer Francesca Poste.

Cerys Sheehy returns in triumph after her first win on Hubrisko

Read Andrew King’s full meeting report here

All photographs c. Graham Fisher