Godfrey Maundrell lands first ever treble
He added: "You dream about this sort of thing. Mind you, I'm not sure how long I'll have to wait to ride a four-timer!"
Maglinn River (members' race), Spiders Nephew (maiden division II) and Lisadell King (intermediate) provided Godfrey's three victories.
Maglinn River looked to have the upper hand when challenger Gowna's Hope (Ed Barrett) fell at the last. Spiders Nephew, home-bred by owner Hilary McCall, was untroubled after favourite Allerford Jack (James Tudor) fell at the fourth last when holding every chance.
Lisadell King, who missed 2009, maintained his 100 per cent Larkhill record – four from four – in facile fashion. Paul Thompson explained: "Lisadell King had an allergy last year, but we keep him in a dust-free environment and he's absolutely fine now". A novice hunter chase looks on the cards.
Seaborough trainer Richard Barber landed both divisions of the three-mile maiden for owners Margaret Findlay and Paul Barber. Cappoquin led from two out and held Jackie du Plessis' St Georgina despite idling before and after the last fence.
"I bought him privately as a three-year-old from the late Tom Costello and named him after an Irish town,", explained Paul Barber. "That'll Do is named after one of Ruby Walsh's favourite expressions." This horse rewarded odds-on punters in division II, although the 4/7F had to be pushed by Nick Williams and finished tired.
Theatre Diva put up an impressive performance in the ladies' open to reward Cornish owner-trainer Jackie du Plessis. Favourite Turthen took over from pacemakers Mandingo Chief and Gold Medallist at the third last, but had no answer when Jo Buck produced Theatre Diva entering the straight. "I bought her at Ascot for £3,700 in July as a broodmare, but we'll look for a hunter chase now", smiled Jackie. "It will take us three and a quarter hours to get home, but it will be drinks all round when we eventually get there".
Robert Waley-Cohen's Roulez Cool achieved the Christies' Foxhunter qualification in the men's open. Drybrook Bedouin and Nathan Wilmington led at the last, but met the obstacle on the wrong stride, allowing James Tudor to seize the advantage. Roulez Cool will contest a February hunter chase before going to Cheltenham with a very live chance.
Claire Hart drove her uncle Simon Hart's Melteme ahead after the last in the 2m 4f maiden division II. "I bought him from Aidan Murphy during a drunken lunch at Stratford," smiled Simon, who recalled riding 49 point-to-point winners and breaking his collarbone 13 times during his riding career.
Capt Max Chenery rode his first-ever winner when Blackadder benefited from clear leader Rockfort's last fence fall in the King's Troop race.
