WILL BISHOP proved a suitable stand-in jockey for his pregnant wife Harriet, by winning the first hunt scurry of the season on her Worthapunt.
The pair are co-organisers of the three-mile race, which takes place in the cream of the Cottesmore Tuesday country.
"It's a committee of two and 'Bish' is only on it because he's married to me!" said Harriet.
After heavy rain earlier in the week, the going was excellent and 27 of the 30 starters completed, with one faller. It was a high-class field and will, as Harriet hoped, have acted as the perfect preparation for the Melton Hunt Club Ride on 10 November.
"The early pace was pretty fast and furious, and Hannah Stevenson set the pace," said Will. "I overtook Hannah at the sixth fence. 'Worzel' was relentless - it was his first run of the season and he was just locking on to everything he saw uncontrollably until I got in front, then he settled. And we crossed the line about five lengths in front of Maurice Linehan and Woody," said Will.
Worthapunt, a former point-to-pointer by Fruits Of Love, wouldn't be everyone's idea of the perfect ride.
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