FUNNELL FACES STIFF COMPETITION

WILLIAM Funnell, defending holder of the DFS Derby title, could face stiff opposition in his bid to enter the exclusive club of riders to have won Hickstead's great challenge on successive years and on the same horse.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Jun 2007, 16:31 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 03:33 BST

William, who last year achieved his life's ambition to take home the Boomerang Trophy, automatically gets a starting ticket for this year's DFS Derby on Sunday with his last year's winning partner, Cortaflex Mondriaan.

But he has also entered two others from his 2007 string, Cortaflex Amber Du Montois and Cortaflex Billy Birr, in the all-important Derby Trial from which the DFS Derby's starters are taken.

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The top 35 horses in the Derby Trial qualify for the DFS Derby, but previous winners are automatic starters. And William's opposition this year is likely to include 2005 winners Ben Maher and Alfredo II.

Experience of Hickstead's testing Derby course - which takes in the famous Derby Bank, water, double of ditches and Devil's Dyke - is always a help, and previous winners entered in the Trial include Peter Charles, John Popely and John Whitaker. Tim Stockdale and David McPherson, who have both been in second place before, are both likely DFS Derby starters.

* Lucky winners in our recent Hickstead competition were: Mrs J Tutheridge of Herm Road, Ferring, who has won the main prize of members' tickets for two for all four days of the meeting and lunch on the Saturday in the members' restaurant, and M Archer of 23 Duke's Ride, North Holmwood, who has won members' tickets for two on Saturday.

Related topics:Hickstead