William wins by a whisker

A hunt race and team chase veteran is delighted to score a victory by the narrowest of margins in a thrilling finish

- CATHERINE AUSTEN

Cotswold Hunt Scurry, Charlton Abbotts, Glos

WILLIAM FOX GRANT and Iona Lad snatched victory in the third running of the Cotswold Hunt Scurry by the narrowest of margins from former National Hunt jockey Maurice Linehan and his 19-year-old hunt race stalwart, Woody. Georgina Bathurst was only inches behind them on Jan Maat.

"I made a joke the week before the race that I had shaved my beard off to make me a bit quicker - and it worked!" said William.

"Maurice and I had walked the course together the night before and found a shortcut between fences 15 and 16, where the course went downhill through a wood. It was a very high-class field and we agreed that we'd let some go off in front, take a slight pull and take the shortcut.