RICHARD Burton's championship hopes suffered a setback when several of his fancied mounts were beaten at the Wheatland point-to-point at Chaddesley Corbett last Saturday, while his main rival Ashley Farrant rode a double in Somerset.

The afternoon got off to a bad start when his Jolejoker was beaten into third place in the 5-6-7-year-old maiden, the winner Lucky Wyn having made the long trip from Somerset.

In the Men's Open, Burton's Fane Council started a warm odds-on favourite but the promising 6-year-old was unable to reproduce the sparkling displays he produced early in the season.

The winner was Minella Silver, clocking up his second win of the season, whereas Burton, having had a choice of mounts in the race, opted for the wrong one.

Fane Council's connections later said his previous wins had been on right hand courses.

Westcoast was tipped to give Burton victory in the PPORA Members' event but the favourite was never in with a chance and was pulled up a long way from home.

The race provided the closest finish of the afternoon with Brook Bee hanging on to win by half a length from Native King to give owner-rider David Sherlock and Malpas trainer Steve Wynne a well deserved win.

Burton's dismal afternoon was only matched by the weather and his supporters' misery was highlighted when Special Friends ran a disappointing race in the Restricted.

After moving up menacingly they were unable to sustain their progress and were left floundering as Tim Stephenson and Wind on the Common raced into the lead on the home turn.

News Flash, who had been qualified in Wales prior to being bought by Lady Susan Brooke in February, had been running in better company.

The only favourite to win on the eight-race card, his supporters were never troubled after Lorna Brooke had sent her mount to the front from flag fall.

RESULTS

5-6-7 Year Old Maiden

1 Lucky Wyn 10-1, 2 Copper Grove 20-1, 3 Jolejoker 9-4. 12 Ran.

8-Year-Old and Upward Maiden

Division I: 1 Rosemead Tye 6-1, 2 Classic Fable 4-1, 3 Royrace 6-4. 8 Ran.

8-Year-Old and Upward Maiden

Division II: 1 Newsflash evens, 2 Abitofahike 8-1, 3 Little Dish 4-1. 11 Ran.

Men's Open

1 Minella Silver 3-1, 2 The Campdonian 4-1, 3 Fane Council 1-3. 6 Ran.

Ladies Open

1 Campden Kitty 3-1, 2 Do It Once 6-1, 3 Chadswell 8-1. 8 Ran.

PPORA Club Members

1 Brook Bee 8-1, 2 Native King 7-2, 3 Arctic Burner 10-1. 8 Ran.

Restricted

1 Wind on the Common 6-1, 2 Clodagh Valley 9-1, 3 Belle Moss 2-1. 10 Ran.

Members

1 Nealie Mac, 2 Karinga Lane. No SP returned. 2 Ran.