SOUTHWESTERN, who famously fell two out when clear of his rivals in Punchestown’s Champions’ Hunter Chase last April, heads back to the Irish venue after impressing the huge crowd at Littlewindsor.

Southwestern, was initially held up by Neil Harris, but the 10-year-old then surged past his eight Men’s Open race rivals with a circuit to go, and had effortlessly extended his advantage to 20 lengths by the winning post.

The meeting was marred though when Rimpton Boy, who had finished second in the Ladies’ Open, collapsed and died as he returned to the unsaddling enclosure.

The grey won 28 point-to-points and one Hunter Chase, including six wins at Littlewindsor, where he began his career, winning the Seavington Maiden as a five-year-old in 2000.

The Ladies’ Open on Sunday was won by Lady Myfanwy with Jodie Hughes on board.

Harris completed a double when Think On This forged clear in the final straight in the three-mile Maiden race.

Richard Woollacott trained two winners, partnering The Busy Farmer himself to take the Restricted race.

The pair made most of the early running and although Bathwick Shannon and Polly Gundry led down the final hill, Woollacott was back in control over the last five fences.

Alice Pearn then took the reins on her father John Pearn’s King Georges to win the Countryside Alliance Novice Riders’ race. Four horses faced the starter but King Georges was left solo for virtually all of the last two circuits after two rivals departed early and Thisthatandtother, who was setting a fast pace, appeared to try to refuse and ejected Jack Barber at the seventh fence.

Imperial Sun also finished alone to give Charlton Mackrell rider Keira Clark, 23, her first-ever win, from just two rides, in the three-runner Hunt race.

Trained by James White for Mandy and Ron Hodges, for whom Keira works, Imperial Sun jumped the last circuit and a half solo to gain a deserved success after several good placed efforts this season.

Polly Gundry maintained her six-winner lead in the National Ladies’ table on Quite A Splash, who jumped into the lead at the penultimate in the 2m4f Maiden.

Carrying the familiar yellow and black Tinotops colours of Castle Cary owners Ray and Evelyn Targett, the Ascot purchase is trained by Polly and Ed Walker at their Ottery St Mary stables.