TRAINER Michael Bowen emulated his father to win the Lady Dudley Cup at Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday.

The Welsh handler saddled Lotus Pond to score an emphatic victory in the big race which his father Peter won with Brunico back in the 1992-1993 season.

Just four horses attempted to put their names into the record book for this illustrious contest, which was the smallest field since Distinctive won the race in 2000, but it was still a difficult task identifying potential winners with three of the contestants of equal ability.

Iberico started favourite at 6-4 while Lotus Pond and Grandturgeon were both 2-1 shots. Squirrel Esquire (James Martin) and Grandturgeon (Alex Edwards) set the pace, while Peter Bryan was content to let others do the donkey work. Sam Jukes’s mount Iberico was never jumping fluently and was pushed and cajoled along for most of the contest.

The pace quickened down the back straight where Iberico did well to stay in touch with the leaders. Squirrel Esquire’s race was run climbing the hill which resulted in Grandturgeon leading into the home straight but was immediately passed by Lotus Pond who stormed clear and had a 20-length advantage as they passed the post.

Iberico claimed second place from Grandturgeon who weakened dramatically over the final two fences.

After the big race setback, Alex Edwards recorded a double to maintain his lead in the jockeys' championship scoring on Stoleaway (Division II of the Conditions) and The Maestro (2-1/2 miles Maiden) for trainer Philip Rowley.

The trainer's hopes of recording a treble were thwarted in the novice riders' race earlier in the afternoon. Aupcharlie and Michaela Tallett were strongly fancied for this event but Milo Herbert and Ballycahane poached a five-length advantage on the final bend and that proved decisive.

Arthurs Secret scored an impressive win in the Skinners sponsored Ladies Open under Abbi Banks.

There was a surprise outcome in Division I of the Conditions which went the way of the unconsidered Best Director who landed the spoils in the hands of Fred Timmis. This was another race in which the winner went into the lead at the entrance to the home straight and defied the efforts of his challengers to pass them.