Jump-off win puts Williams into elite

Kent rider Williams dashed hopes of a first woman Derby winner since 1973 by defeating his British rival Tina Fletcher in a jump-off.

Fletcher and Promised Land looked to have done enough by conquering a punishing course revered throughout the equestrian world for imposing challenges like the Derby Bank and Devils Dyke.

Fletcher's round was only a 51st clear in 50 years of the Derby, but Williams and Softrack Skip Two Ramiro – last to go among a 38-strong field – matched her performance.

And the 38-year-old romped home in the jump-off, winning by almost 16 seconds after both riders again went clear to claim a 40,000 first prize.

Fletcher, who lives in Newbury with her ex-international showjumper husband Graham, collected 25,000, while there was a six-way tie for third.

Robert Smith (Talan), Douglas Duffin (Volcano), David O'Brien (Mo Chroi), William Funnell (Kannelle de la Baie), Billy Twomey (Blue Thunder) and Germany's Andre Thieme (Nacorde) each collected 8,840.

But there was no fairytale fourth Derby victory for Funnell on defending champion Cortaflex Mondriaan, who retired early in his round following some uncharacteristic mistakes.

Mondriaan was bidding to become only the second horse since Eddie Macken's Boomerang to land four Derby titles, while Funnell would have joined four-time winning riders Macken, Michael Whitaker, Harvey Smith and John Whitaker.

And Michael Whitaker's hopes of a record fifth title disappeared on both his horses as he retired Trappist and Pilgrim II.

Williams though, took centre stage, going one better than last year when he was joint runner-up in the Derby.

"It feels really good – quite emotional to be honest," said the British Nations Cup rider.

"I have been coming to Hickstead since I was a kid, when I competed in the back rings. It has been a big part of my career."

Williams, a seasoned campaigner over the Hickstead Derby course, prepared meticulously for this year's event, even to the point of building a Devils Dyke-style fence at his yard in Stelling Minnis, a village situated between Folkestone and Canterbury.

"I built it myself," he added. "It's like a hole in the ground, really, but fine for training in terms of the Derby. Tina allowed me a bit of breathing space in the jump-off, which played a little into my hands. I thought Ramiro could jump clear again."

Fletcher, 45, had already carved her name into Hickstead folklore by winning the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Overa three years ago.

But she admitted to having mixed emotions after agonisingly failing to become Hickstead's first female Derby champion in 37 years after Alison Dawes triumphed on Mr Banbury.

"The feeling is both thrilling and gutting," said Fletcher.

"At this moment in time, I feel gutted, but to jump a double clear in the Derby is amazing.

"To be honest, I always thought Guy was going to jump clear, and however fast I would have gone in the jump-off, I felt Guy would have gone faster.

"My horse was really difficult during the first couple of fences in the first round, but then he settled down and was really nice and sensible.

"He was fourth here in the Derby last year, which is the only other Derby he has done."

Despite a clash with the England versus Germany World Cup game, Hickstead's Derby crowd was only marginally down on last year's attendance.

And many of the world's top riders will again converge on the Sussex arena in less than five weeks' time for the Longines Royal International Show, which is headlined by the Nations Cup, King George V Cup and Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

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