RATHCOOLE Dancer's success in the Confined at the Albrighton Woodland fixture at Chaddesley Corbett on Monday proved a defining moment during the afternoon's racing.

The outcome of three of the areas awards were decided after her victory.

Malvern's Andy Hobbs took the trainer's championship, Rathcoole Dancer claimed the mare's award and her Ledbury-based rider Adam Brown took the novice rider's title.

The winner was always in contention but had a major battle with Greensleeves from the 15th but the pattern of the race changed dramatically as Greensleeves weakened between the final two fences while Daisy Fay finished like the proverbial train which ensured that Rathcoole Dancer had to pull out all the stops to maintain her lead on the flat.

Hobbs sent out his 19th winner of the season following Euryalus success in the Intermediate. The 8-year-old was purchased privately since his last success at Bredwardine two weeks ago and benefited from a well-judged ride by champion rider Richard Burton.

Sapega and Jane Williams revelled in the conditions and outclassed their rivals when they took the Members Race.

The 12-year-old led at halfway and the opposition were struggling to stay in contention from this point. They managed to reduce the deficit as they turned into the home straight but Sapega forged clear over the final three fences and held a 15-length advantage at the post.

The winners of 299 point to point races have passed through the hands of Elmley Lovett-based Martin Oliver over the last 10 years, and these included the winners of both divisions of the Maiden Race.

Oliver sources most of his horses from Ireland and Milanista the winner of Division I of the Maiden joins the long list of horses that have made the same journey.

The 6-year-old mare made up for running out at Kingston Blount on Sunday and scored an easy win over Little Girl in the hands of his Surrey based trainer/rider Philip York.

Give Me Strength had run well at Upper Sapey recently and she showed the benefit of that experience with a hard fought win over Hot Chocolat and Iron Man Dan in Division II of the Maiden after all three horses had taken the last in unison. Give Me Strength is another Irish import but Oliver trains this one himself for Julia Oakey.

RESULTS.

Members: 1 Sapega (Miss J Williams) 4-5 Fav, 2 Primitive Son (S Gray) 8-1, 3 Philtre (P Needham) 5-1. 6 ran.

Confined: 1 Rathcoole Dancer (A Brown) 5-2, 2 Daisy Fay (N Sutton) 12-1, 3 Earl of Buckingham (M Wilesmith) 7-2. 12 ran.

Mixed Open: 1 Home by Midnight (T Ellis) 40-5 Fav, 2 Lough Ennel (R Jenkins) 5-1, 3 Jemaro (R Burton) 6-1. 13 ran.

Intermediate: 1 Euryalus (R Burton) 6-1, 2 Four Opinions (M Harris) 6-4 Fav, 3 Jumbul Sale (R Cope) 3-1. 11 ran.

Restricted: 1 Dicks Dream (Miss C Allen) 4-7 Fav, 2 Buckingham Bill (M Wilesmith) 7-1, 3 Scarlet Gunner (J Jarrett) 10-1. 8 ran.

Maiden - Division One: 1 Milanista (P York) 4-6 Fav, 2 Little Girl (S Gray) 8-1, 3 Gunsmoke (N Oliver) 4-1. 12 ran.

Maiden - Division Two: 1 Give Me Strength (A Wintle) 2-1, 2 Hot Chocolat (N Oliver) 5-2, 3 Iron Man Dan (J Jarrett) 3-1. 11 ran.