DESPITE extensive watering efforts only three runners faced the starter for the day's principal event, The Lady Dudley Cup, at Saturday's Worcestershire point to point at Chaddesley Corbett.

General Wolf who had made the journey from Cornwall made much of the early running but his Bromsgrove-based owner Mark Gichero soon knew his fate as the 14-year-old started to weaken down the back straight.

Fontaine Again took up the running but was closely pursued by Ledbury rider Julian Pritchard on Paymaster. There was nothing between the two horses at the third from home but Pritchard's mount had drawn six lengths clear by the next and still held a healthy advantage at the last. But Paymaster's stride suddenly began to shorten and there was only a neck separating them at the post.

This was another big race win for Pritchard and Gloucestershire trainer Jelly Nolan.

Each season throws up a talented young jockey and this year's accolade falls upon Tom Weston's young shoulders after the 16 year old Worcester schoolboy had ridden his second winner after Caught at Dawn's emphatic victory in the Members race.

The partnership had almost parted company at the first but with his rider exuding confidence Caught at Dawn did not hit the front until the 15th. The issue was never in doubt from this point and they scored an easy win despite conceding weight to all their rivals.

Upton Adventure won her fourth race of the season for Eastnor trainer Nicky Sheppard after the mare had scored an easy win in the Ladies Open under Stoke Bliss rider Emma James. This partnership had finished behind Gill'Mar at Bitterley recently but that danger was removed when Candy Thomas was forced to pull up the favourite at the 11th.

RESULTS. Members: 1 Caught at Dawn (T Weston) 4-6 fav, 2 Top of the Charts 4-1, 3 Holder Hill 7-1 (5 ran). Confined: 1 Master Jock (W Hill) 5-2, 2 Fundy 5-1, 3 Wild Blade 16-1 (7 ran). Men's Open: 1 Paymaster (J Pritchard) 4-1, 2 Fontaine Again Evens jt fav, 3 General Wolf Evens jt fav (3 ran). Ladies Open: 1 Upton Adventure (Miss E James) 6-4, 2 Brook Be 10-1, 3 Do it Once 7-1 (6 ran). Restricted: 1 Silent Action (M Harris) 11-10 fav, 2 Brown Blake 3-1, 3 Winning Town 3-1 (6 ran). Mares Members: 1 Early Dawn (M Harris) 6-4, 2 Belle Moss 1-2 fav (2 ran). Maiden: 1 Lava (M Wall) 9-4 fav, 2 Expresso Drummer 3-1, 3 Come On Boy 7-1 (7 ran).