POLLY GUNDRY, who lives near Ottery St Mary, has broken the all time record for point to point winners ridden by a woman.

POLLY GUNDRY, who lives near Ottery St Mary, has broken the all time record for point to point winners ridden by a woman. The previous career best being 287 set by Alison Dare in 2002.

Gundry, who rode her first winner in 1992, equalled the record and beat it on horses she trains on East Hill with her partner Ed Walker, Mulligans Pet and Ned The Post, at the Western point to point at Wadebridge in Cornwall on Saturday.

Polly said: "I am honoured to beat Alison's title. It wasn't something I was hell bent on doing but I am very glad I have done it now. Alison is such a legend and it's a great achievement. It has all been brilliant fun but I am not done with yet. I would like to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival (Rockwithacaveman was pulled out this year due to fast ground), and I would like to beat the 300 mark."

Champagne greeted Mulligan's Pet on the way back into the winners' enclosure at Wadebridge after taking the Intermediate and more flowed after Ned the Post won the last but only a celebratory glass was shared with Ed that night as Polly was back in action at Buckfastleigh the next day where she rode two more winners!

Polly, seven-times ladies national champion, who is based at Ottery St Mary, opened her account in 1992 on Connemara Dawn at the now defunct Talybont-on-Usk course. Her triumphs under Rules include victory in the 2002 Aintree Fox Hunter Chase on Torduff Express, and she has also enjoyed plenty of success abroad. She now needs just 10 victories to become only the fourth rider ever to reach 300, along with Julian Pritchard, Richard Burton and the late David Turner.

Polly added: "Sometimes I think I am riding better than ever, and sometimes I think I am not, but I intend to keep going while it's all going well, while supporting younger riders so they can take over when I finally give up!".