EDWARD Walker was surprised but elated after securing the West Midland Area Leading Rider Award during Monday's Albrighton Woodland meeting at Chaddesley Corbett.

The Childswickham-based jockey was keen to acknowledge the part two local stables played in his success and although the winners may not have flowed as freely as he might have hoped, placed efforts have proved the key to his victory.

The Campdonian had already secured the Leading Horse Award for the horse's Weston Sub Edge-based connections but Lucy and Paul King were keen to support their riders efforts and the 13-year-old ran his normal game race until he was outspeeded at the finish by Richard Burton's mount Snowtre.

Walker secured the area title following Jolly Jake's second place in the Restricted and this put him in an unassailable lead because his main rival, Ledbury's Julian Pritchard, had insufficient ammunition to reduce the deficit. Emma Baker's Naunton stable has provided Walker with plenty of ammunition during the season and this was another game effort from the ten-year-old.

Richard Burton started the day two winners behind Ashley Farrant in his quest to retain the National Jockeys Championship. The Shropshire-based rider guided three horses to victory, but at the end of the day the status quo was unchanged because Farrant matched his efforts with a hat-trick down in Devon.

RESULTS

Members: 1 Primitive Son (Miss E James) 11-10Fav, 2 Wining Town (Miss S Talbot) 5-2, 3 Always Good (P Needham) 3-1, 4 ran. Confined: 1 -Snowtre (R Burton) 9-2, 2 The Campdonian (E Walker) 6-4Fav, 3 Sharlom (G Hanmer) 2-1, 9 ran. Mixed Open: 1 Jemaro (R Burton) 7-2, 2 Philtre (A Wintle) 2-1Fav, 3 Teme Willow (J Pritchard) 5-2, 7 ran. Intermediate: 1 Double Rich (O Greenall) 10-1, 2 Therealbat (G Barfoot-Saunt) 4-1, 3 Petrouge (R Burton) 5-4Fav. Restricted: 1 Sabena Canyon (R Burton) 5-2Fav, 2 Jolly Jake (E Walker) 4-1, 3 All Eyes on Me (M Wall) 1201, 9 ran. Maiden: 1 Franco Lady (Miss E James) 5-2, 2 Winnick (G Barfoot-Saunt) 7-2, 3 Red Spark (E Walker) 2-1Fav, 12 ran.