Equestrianism: Fletcher wins on Promised Land

Tina Fletcher achieved a lifelong ambition yesterday by ending Hickstead's 38-year wait for a female winner of the Derby.

Fletcher and Promised Land produced a performance to match the glorious Sussex sunshine after last year's heartache, when they were beaten by Guy Williams and Skip Two Ramiro in a two-horse jump-off.

This time around, Berkshire-based Nations Cup rider Fletcher produced the only clear of 26 starters. She is the fifth woman to clinch Hickstead's Derby crown but the first since Alison Dawes and Mr Banbury in 1973. Williams, who collected eight faults on Skip Two Ramiro, finished equal second with Richi Rich III.