STAMINA was required by both equines and racegoers during a 115-runner, nine-race marathon at Chaddesley Corbett.

The Ladies Open at the event on Monday, December 28, produced an exciting finish after Phine Banks attempted to make all the running on Stratford Stroller.

They led over the last but had to settle for third place behind Lienosus and Lord Heathfield, who were inseparable as they flashed past the post.

Lienosus carries the well-known colours of Himbleton-based owners William and Angela Rucker, but on this occasion was ridden by Sarah Bowen, who works at that family’s Woodhouse Farm stables.

Temple Grandin followed up last year’s win with the hard-fought victory over the West Country challenger Ace High in the Men’s Open.

David Maxwell and Out Now looked potential winners as they headed the runners up the final hill but Ace High, Executive Benefit and Temple Grandin were all in close attendance.

Temple Grandin and Alex Edwards eased clear of their rivals between the final two fences and stayed on well to claim victory by three quarters of a length.

Morville trainer Phil Rowley said afterwards: “We nearly did not run because of the ground. Alex said he was hating the conditions but seemed to find his feet running downhill into the straight. He will probably now go Hunter Chasing.”

Tom Weston is now a licensed trainer, so his father, Martin, has taken over responsibility for the point-to-pointers at the family’s Hindlip stables and they got on the scoreboard with Blackmill’s impressive win in the Non-Rules Maiden.

See U Again Son and Young QC dominated at the head of affairs for most of the second circuit, but Blackmill quickened in the style of a useful animal turning for home and quickly established a race-winning lead.

Only a four-year-old Blackmill was purchased by connections at Ascot last July after he had finished second in an Irish point-to-point and now carries the colours of Joan Hitchings.

Moving stables is always a big challenge as you get used to new facilities and environment so a winner is always helpful to prove you are on the right path.

With a couple of early runners not performing to expectations, the James Ridley-trained Big Georgie started at odds of 10-1 for Division II of the Restricted.

There was little between Sir Ollar, Zuccotti Park, Big George and the improving Stoney Road approaching two out but Big Georgie’s stamina came into play between the final two fences and he inched clear of his rivals approaching the last and held Stony Road’s challenge as they raced towards the judge.

Ridley’s new yard is on premises owned by his principal patron Alastair McLeish at Tedstone Wharfe about three miles from the Clifton-on-Teme course at Upper Sapey.

The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Black Banjo after his success in the day’s concluding two-and-a-half mile Maiden.

Total Compliance led as they entered the home straight but Black Banjo continued to progress and came through to dispute the lead at the 17th before staying on strongly to beat Alfstar by two and a half lengths.

The winner had run well for Nickie Sheppard’s Eastnor stable on his debut at Barbury.