AN Andy Hobbs-trained horse who suffered a fall at Easter made a dramatic recovery storming to victory in the North Ledbury meeting.

Saint Reverien comprehensively outpointed his rivals in the Men's Open, just weeks after the nine-year-old suffered a horrendous fall at Howick over Easter. It has taken some time to recover from those exertions but the team at Tyre Hill stables have rallied round and they were repaid with victory in this contest.

Adrian Wintle was content to track Gentle Rivage until sending his mount into a race-winning lead around the final bend to land the spoils for Clive Hitchings.

In other action at last Monday's meet at Maisemore Park, Olivier started a very warm favourite for the confined, despite the presence of stablemates The Brooklet and Un Jour A Vassy, but as the starter dropped his flag, Olivier remained rooted to the spot and refused to start.

With the fellow Hobbs runners weakening down the back straight, David Mansell and Gothic Charm were left in the lead although this was gradually being whittled away by Coldabri. Gothic Charm refused to accept defeat and hung on by a neck to provide Hollybush trainer Roy Shail with his second success of the action-packed weekend.

David Mansell also looked set to claim victory in the closing Maiden.

He produced Maddies Dream with a well-timed run to lead between the final two fences, but with victory in his grasp the seven-year-old lived up to his racecard comment "has his own ideas".

Before his rider had a chance to respond he veered across the course, hampering several runners in the process before finally consenting to jump the fence and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Montys Moon was the major beneficiary of this incident and he came through to land the spoils under Mikey Harris for the eight-strong Full Monty Racing Club, headed by Curtis Munrowd.

10:31am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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