THE West Midlands area dinner dance at Cheltenham Racecourse is one of the most eagerly awaited events on the local amateur racing calendar.

The attendance record was broken when 480 people attended last Friday's awards with numerous professional jockeys including Richard Johnson and Warren Marston.

Cheltenham's Adrian Wintle took the Leading Rider Title for the first time and in an emotional speech recalled that the award had been his target when he was lying flat on his back in Frenchay Hospital after a career threatening fall at Maisemore Park in April 2002.

Berkeley rider Polly Gundry won the Ladies Title for the first time in her home area, which she can add to the National Title she has held for the last four years.

Awards were shared equally across the Gloucestershire/ Worcestershire area with Taddington-based owner Sue Collett and Halesowen's Wendy Bayliss sharing the Leading Mare's prize via the exploits of Campden Kitty and Proper Primitive.

Mr Nabarro landed the Champion Novice Trophy for Helen Needham who trains the six-year-old for her father Jim Callow at Broome, near Kidderminster. The Leading Horse Award went to Gloucestershire with Teme Willow, who carries the colours of his trainer Dick Baim-bridge and Tewkesbury's Stan Warner.

Worcester schoolboy Tom Weston stepped forward to take two prizes. The 16-year-old from Himbleton had to share the Leading Novice Riders Award with Frampton on Severn's Anna Clifford, but took the Leading Owner/Trainer/Rider (Family) Award following two successes on Caught at Dawn.

Last year saw the introduction of a Groom of the Year Award. The standard was extremely high again during the 2003 season and after a closely fought contest, the judges were unable to separate Nigel Hamson from Jelly Nolan's yard at Naunton and Sharon Smith from Alan Hollingsworth's Feckenham stables.

The Area Achievement Award for 2003 went to Forthampton's Roger Guilding. Roger rode 135 winners between the flags during the 1950's and 60's and will especially be remembered for his association with such old favourites as Sunarise, Master Tammy and Touch of Tammy.

The achievements of Supreme Citizen and Hoodwinkers in helping Enville-based Jane Williams to win the prestigious Daily Telegraph Trophy for the leading Novice Rider over 21, was also recognised.

Ledbury jockey Julian Pritchard rode his 300th winner between the flags in 2003 and he kindly agreed to give his name to some special awards.

Three 'Pritchards' were presented; the rider's prize went to Dymock's Mark Wilesmith, the official's prize to Himbleton's Katherine Smith-Maxwell and the owner/trainer prize to Jolly Jake and his connections.