CAUGHT at Dawn and Tom Weston have proved an almost unbeatable combination this season and they took their fourth race of the current campaign with an easy win in the Mixed Open during Tuesday's Croome and West Warwickshire meeting at Upton-upon-Severn.

Odds on favourites to beat 12 rivals, they took the lead turning for home and sprinted clear from two out to win by eight lengths. The ten-year-old carries the colours of Upton clerk of the course Martin Weston and the Hindlip farmer is hoping that he can take his place in the field for Saturday's Lady Dudley Cup providing he suffers no ill effects from this run.

Tim Stephenson's Castlemorton yard is also enjoying a purple patch at the moment and nobody on the course begrudged Wind on the Common his success in the three mile Maiden because he has been a model of consistency over the last couple of seasons. This win will provide a welcome tonic for the rider's father, owner/breeder Mike Stephenson.

Cotton On became the third family horse to win during the afternoon when he took Division One of the 2 mile Maiden for the Wilesmith family. The horse is owned by the rider's father Dymock farmer Martin Wilesmith, was ridden by his son and is trained by his wife Doreen and daughter Emma. Killough Hill looked to have this race in safe keeping but he was unable to maintain his relentless gallop and had nothing in reserve when Cotton On swept by on the flat.

Suckley owner/trainer John Rudge saw his colours carried to victory in the Members. Ashwell Boy, running his best race for several seasons, led at the last but just failed to withstand Dave Mansell's whirlwind finish on Jalcanto, who got up in the final strides.

Adrian Wintle and Julian Pritchard have not enjoyed the best of luck this season but both riders got their name on the scoresheet at this event.

Wintle rode a brilliant tactical race on the Helen Hogben-owned and Alison Dare trained Babs Wheal to land the Mares Maiden, producing the eight-year-old to lead at the final obstacle and staying on well to land the spoils on the flat.

Babs Wheal's jumping was somewhat erratic in early season and that remark also applies to Sett Aside who won Division Two of the 2 mile Maiden under Julian Pritchard. The six-year-old was at the back of the field for the first circuit but made up ground steadily from half way and was just creeping into contention when the two leaders Silk St Bidget and Gumlayloy departed independently at the second from home. Stantons Church held a slight advantage at the last but had to succumb to Sett Aside's determined run on the flat.

RESULTS

Members: 1 Jalcanto (D Mansell) 4-6 Fav, 2 Ashwell Boy (B Gallagher) 33-1, 3 Coddington Girl (M Wilesmith) 7-2, 6 ran.

Restricted: 1 Black Optimist (Mrs K Baimbridge) 3-1, 2 Alvero (M Harris) 7-1, 3 Ballingale Dawn (R Rogers) 100-30, 12 ran.

Mares Maiden: 1 Babs Wheal (A Wintle) 6-1, 2 River Treasure (A Wadlow) 8-1, 3 Bank on Lady (D Mansell) 14-1, 14 ran.

Mixed Open: 1 Caught at Dawn (T Weston) 8-13Fav, 2 Pretoria Dancer (M Goldstein) 16-1, 3 Love at Dawn (P Mason) 5-2, 13 ran.

Confined: 1 Sapega (Miss J Williams) 7-2, 2 Stag Party (H Fowler) 25-1, 3 Rushing Again (Miss P Gundry) 702, 9 ran.

3 Mile Maiden: 1 Wind on the Common (T Stephenson) 5-2, 2 Chateau Burf (H Dowty) 6-1, 3 Autcaesar Autnihil (M Munrowd) 12-1, 10 ran.

2 Mile Maiden-Division One: 1 Cotton On (M Wilesmith) 7-4 Fav, 2 Killough Hill (Miss P Grundy) 3-1, 3 Fence the Gap (M Hooper) 10-1, 12 ran.

2 Mile Maiden-Division Two: 1 Sett Aside (J M Pritchard) 10-1, 2 Stantons Church (Miss R Reynolds) 10-1, 3 Evanly Miss (M Jackson) 12-1, 12 ran.