TIM Stephenson and Fontaine Again proved too strong for their rivals during the closing stages of the Men's Open at Saturdays Harkaway Club meeting at Chaddesley Corbett.

The only blemish on an otherwise exemplary round of jumping came when horse and jockey had a disagreement at the second from home but they were soon back on an even keel and the Clive Hitching's owned gelding strode home five lengths clear of Cascum Lad.

The afternoon had started in frustrating fashion for another inmate of Jo Tremains' Hanley Castle stable when Thatsforeel had no reply when Mr Kermit swept by between the final two fences.

Having finished second in this race Stephenson then had to settle for the runners up spot in the next event when Trish Morris's Paddy Bettalot's front running tactics proved too much for all but one rival in the Restricted.

The Castlemorton-based jockey also had to settle for the runners up berth in the Moderate. Despite Stephenson's strenuous efforts he was always fighting a losing battle against Star Changes, who is one of five pointers that owner/trainer Alan Holingsworth has in his Feckenham stable.

Supreme Citizen has been a model of consistency this season and with regular pilot Jane Williams in the saddle this combination ploughed through the Chaddesley Corbett mud to score a hard fought victory in the Gerrard sponsored Ladies Open and gain qualification to the final at Wetherby in May.

RESULTS: Members: 1 Mr Kermit Miss S Sharratt 4-1, 2 Thatsforeel T Stephenson 11-10 Fav, 3 Topical Tip Miss E Bone 8-1. 10 Ran. Restricted: 1 Irilut S Waley Cohen 11-4, 2 Paddy Bettalot T Stephenson 9-2, 3 Just Cliquot G Hanmer 9-4 Fav. Ladies Open: 1 Supreme Citizen Miss J Williams 3-1, 2 Gill'Mar Miss P Grundy 2-1, 3 Wandering Light Mrs M Barlow 8-1. 11 Ran. Men's Open: 1 Fontaine Again T Stephenson 5-4Fav, 2 Cascum Lad R Burton 6-4, 3 Paymaster J Pritchard 12-1. 9 Ran. Moderate: 1 Star Changes G Hanmer 7-4, 2 Southern Cross T Stephenson 6-4 Jt Fav. Only two finished. 3 Ran. 5-6-7 Year old Maiden - Division 1: 1 Mr Naborro A Wintle 4-6Fav, 2 Quatormass G Hanmer 7-1, 3 Al Vero M Harris 7-4. 5 Ran. 5-6-7 Year old Maiden - Division 2: 1 Petrouge R Burton 4-1, 2 Hill of Kilfeacle C Barlow 6-1, 3 Snowtre A Wintle Evens Fav. 8 Ran. 8 year Old and Upwards Maiden - Division 1: 1 Wicked Way D Barlow 9-2, 2 Franco Lady Miss E James 3-1, 3 Mainlier A Wintle 3-1. 8 Ran. 8 Year Old and Upwards Maiden - Division 2: 1 Major Adams R Morgan 3-1, 2 Piccadilly Wood P Calaghan 14-1, 3 River Ground R Langley 8-1. 9 Ran.