RICHARD Burton claimed a major boost in the battle for the point-to-point riders’ national title by winning on Worcestershire’s Cedrus Libani at Chaddesley Corbett.

The horse has really found form recently, carrying the colours of Himbleton owners William and Angela Rucker, and was favourite to win his fourth race of the season in the Men’s Open at the Albrighton Woodland meeting.

Burton, locked in a battle for the title with Phillip York, rides the course near Kidderminster better than most jockeys and that experience proved vital.

He timed his run to perfection, catching his rival at the second from home before extending his advantage on the flat to win by eight lengths.

Ringa Bay retained second place from the fast-finishing Up There.

Angela Rucker said: “We scoped him after his run at Cottenham and he appeared OK, but he obviously knew better than us that he was not right.

“He finished runner-up in the Dudley Cup and has not looked back since.

“I ride him in all his work. He seems to like that and he could not have ended the season on a better note.”

Burton used almost identical tactics on Foc I Fum in Division Two of the Maiden.

The race was a straight fight between Lady Bussell, Courageous Dove and Foc I Fum after jumping the 13th.

Burton drove his mount into the lead at the second from home, which gave the champion-elect a double at a vital time of the season.

The fixture also decided the outcome of several West Midland area awards.

Worcestershire rider Alex Dunn started the meeting with a narrow advantage over Jane Williams, her main rival for the ladies’ championship. But Enville’s Williams went a point clear after winning the Members on No Mans Green.

Favourite Ben Ryan was forced to make his own pace from the fifth and had no answer when Williams brought her mount with a well-timed run to lead on the home turn.

They drew clear in the home straight to win by 15 lengths with Belbroughton trainer Stephen Rea blaming the rain for the favourite’s defeat.

This is the first time Williams has ridden one of the family’s home-bred horses to victory.

She partnered Lagosta in the Ladies’ Open and was able to clinch the women’s title when that horse finished runner-up to Network Oscar.

Dunn teamed up with Rainbow Tree in this event but he was always struggling and passed by Lagosta on the home turn which ended the jockey’s aspirations for the season.

Mark Wall has always had a high opinion of Flying Gnu and the mare lived up to her rider’s expectations by proving too strong for Winter Sunshine in the Restricted.

The winner was bred by Kevin and Andrea Malpass at their home near Kidderminster but they were keen to pass on most of the credit for the mare’s success to trainer and rider Wall.

Results, Members: 1 No Mans Green (Miss J Williams, 4-1), 2 Ben Ryan. Four ran.

PPORA Club Members (Division One): 1 The Noble Roman (T Bellamy, 5-1), 2 Ben Tally Ho, 3 James Pine. Eleven ran.

PPORA Club Members (Division Two): 1 Oscar Owen (B Brackenbury, 6-1), 2 Beautiful Dawn, 3 Somewin. Eleven ran.

Ladies’ Open: 1 Network Oscar (Miss L Mahon, 14-1), 2 Lagosta, 3 Virginia Preuil. Eleven ran.

Men’s Open: 1 Cedrus Libani (R Burton, 8-13 fav), 2 Ringa Bay, 3 Up There. Twelve ran.

WMAC Club Members Conditions: 1 MR Gossip (Tom Greenall, 4-1), 2 Duke of Kentford, 3 Drom. Thirteen ran.

Restricted: 1 Flying Gnu (M Wall, 5-1), 2 Winter Sunshine, 3 Mr Wickham. Thirteen ran.

Open Maiden (Division One): 1 Friendly Natives (J Ridley, 2-1 fav), 2 Deep Pearl, 3 Spring Francais. Eleven ran.

Open Maiden (Division Two): 1 Foc I Fum (R Burton, 3-1), 2 Safeguard, 3 Lady Bussell. Ten ran.