Twenty teams tackled the Open course, which demands a great deal of accuracy around the tight twists and turns coupled with a dressing fence, stone walls and water and a lead horse that can turn on a sixpence is a great asset here.

Hair Raisers II were the first team on the course, Allen Brown led them off having a much better ride than the previous week at the Pytchley. Second to go The Mixed Pack put in a solid performance to finish in under 4 minutes. It was good to see an army team tackling the open and The Kings Troop A gave a very good account of themselves led by Bdr Grantham, they were having a trouble free round until two fences from home when Gnr Trim who had taken over the lead after the second water, skidded into the fence and stopped.

Next to go were the Forge Flyers, they were sadly without Sarah Bailey and Garth after he jarred himself at the Pytchley, Louise Walker deputised for Sarah and with Debbie Topping on Junior, Yvonne Goss on the brilliant Perry and Graham Smith Jack they looked to be up to their usual foot perfect round, however Jack did not look as if he was firing on all cylinders, but they still finished in a superb time of 3m.32.29s

The Boring Gorings were next to go and as Fred French was riding his new horse they were led by John Perry with George Goring in second and after Richard Goring was injured last week at the New Forrest his groom Becky rode Richard's horse Toast in her first open team chase and even though George rode with the flair that belies his years they could not match the Forge and finished some 12 seconds adrift, in a time that gave them 7th place.

The Bitch Pack, whose horses are really suited to this track put in a magnificent performance and it was good to see Rosie Vestey, Sophie Rooker, Fiona Russell-Brown and Jane Edmunds have one of their best rounds to date, finishing just over 5 seconds behind the Forge giving them eventual 5th place and qualification for the championships. The Odds and Sods had a good round and after a fault with the timing they were given a time of 3m 50.11s. The Tangos managed to finish in 3m 58.21s and then it was the turn of the Malt Mix Double Troubles led as usual by Virginia Cronk, with Dominique Green, Di Robinson and Charles Aikenhead they set off with their usual aplomb and with some inspired turns they finished just under 3 seconds behind the Forge this finally put them in third place and booked their place in the 2004 Championships. The Teme Valley Tigers managed a time of 3m51.65s and now it was the turn of the Hair Raisers 1 Aly Brown and the lovely Dragon Spirit as usual led them off and with Allen Brown, Paul Thomason and Shaun Cookson they had a near perfect round, they met the dressing fence absolutely spot on, but again they could not catch the time of the Forge and were just 0.77seconds behind the Malt Mix Double Troubles. The Marston Misfits just missed out on one of the tight turns and their time of 3m49.82s put them in 8th place, The Fosse Manor Again lads had a super round but made a complete hash of the finish and by the time they had sorted themselves out they were 0.12seconds behind the Misfits.

Thoroughly Bred were back to full strength after having all sorts of problems with horses and riders this season, their time of 3m44.05s giving them 6th place, Nodarngood, Game for a Giggle and the Pistol Knights could not finish in under 4 minutes.

Last to go were the Knightly Hatters, who have so far this season been the favourites to topple the Forge Flyers, they were back to full strength this week with Lucy Hyde Thompson in the team although her horse Monty does not like the firm going, Ian Shipley once again gave them a superb lead with brother Andrew and Stuart Morris cutting every corner and not missing one single turn, they at last had done it and knocked just 0.18seconds off the Forge time. The celebrations no doubt went on long into the evening in and around Northamptonshire and the win was well deserved.

The novice speed class in the morning was won in fine style by Berkeley 'R' Us team of Vicky Meek, Simon Vatcher, Thomasina Rowe and Courtney McGuiness in a time of 3m55.61s. Second were The Young Entry of Nettie Higgins, Clare Hart, Hannah Jordan and Katie Baxter in a time of 4m01.09s and third were the Uniroof Hoofers- John Perry, Robin May, Sarah Robbins and Jason Purlant, who narrowly beat the Hopwas Hooligans David and Corinne Whitehead, Jane Wilkinson and Amanda Cliff into 4th place.

The optimum time class was won by the Court Flyers Chris and Claire Lees and Rona Muscott with Berkeley Bonkers Vicky Meek, Simon Vatcher, Thomasina Rowe and Reg Hopkins in second. Third place went to Cropthorne Crackers Nikki Rudge, Ali Linder and Jamie Goss and fourth Marston Misfits III Sarah Gibson, Charlotte Cleaver, Sharon Robbins and Jason Purlant.

Whilst the morning competitions were taking place there was drama in the horse box park when Claudia Steele's horse decided to try a make his escape out of the box through the living section and over the seats in the cab, but with swift action from the vets on the course the horse was quickly sedated and with the skilful help of Cheltenham Fire Brigade who arrived with cutting equipment and hoists the gelding was finally extricated from the lorry, after a worrying time he finally came round and was this morning (Monday) reported to be well and with hardly a scratch.

Our grateful thanks must go to all at the Cotswold Hunt for making this such a happy finale to the Qualifying season.

Don't forget the Readyfield Bloodhounds are holding their event on Sunday 16th November.

Netty Nevill