Whitaker proves too hot for his rivals in Spain event

Paired with his partner Elisabeth Fredlund’s 11 year-old bay gelding Fandango, Huddersfield’s Whitaker produced a double clear in a time of 34.27 seconds.

A total of 12 riders came forward for the jump off with a further seven producing another clear.

Stopping the clock almost two seconds ahead of the rest of the field saw a clear win for Whitaker, with Great Britain also taking second and third place.

Holly Gillott was runner-up with her and Graham Smith’s nine-year-old liver chestnut gelding Dougie Douglas, while third place went to Spencer Roe with his mother Sally’s 11-year-old bay gelding Wonder Why.

n The Yorkshire Area Point-To-Point season continues with the Derwent Hunt meeting at Charm Park on Sunday where Minella Class could be the star.

A total of 111 entries have been received for the meeting with racing starting at 12pm and a particular highlight could be the Ladies Open race which is shaping up to be one of the hottest races of the season.

Contenders include Elusive Swallow, who notched up another win at the West of Yore over three miles, four furlongs on Sunday. Sagalyrique, for the Rucker family, has also had a win this season but probably the most fascinating runner could be Minella Class.

Formerly in training with champion National Hunt handler Nicky Henderson, Minella Class is a new recruit to the pointing field for Jill Dawson.

The Rucker family’s Beneficial Reform will likely be all the rage in the Men’s Open with My Old Piano a chief danger.

Like Sunday’s renewal at the West of Yore meeting, the Confined also looks like being a top contest with Sinnington scorer Dica bidding for a follow-up. Avinapaddy and Kingdom of Munster head the opposition.

Admission is £10 per person (postcode for satellite navigation being YO13 9QU.)