The HTA’s Premier Trails at Birkett Field, Threlkeld provided an excellent day’s entertainment.
There were plenty of runners, some exciting finishes and the weather held-up throughout the meeting.
The opening senior trail had 16 runners and four came on the finish together. Indeed, the camera was needed to sort them as there was only a dog’s length between them.
After consulting the photographic evidence Roy Laidler’s Kirkhead Rebel was declared the winner just ahead of a fast-finishing Winterfell, who had earlier taken a tumble.
Winterfell is owned by Barry Laidler and Caroline Clough and trained by the Bell family from Yorkshire.
Also involved in the tight finish were Miterdale Dusk who just pipped Hunter’s Flame for third.
The senior maiden race was hotly contested with seven runners coming in a line on the finish.
Tony Jackson’s Kinniside Dan and Imagine, for Brian and Joy Lister broke away and in another tight call it was Dan who just got up for the win.
It was tight for the remaining tickets with just a few yards between the four remaining dogs.
The open puppies had 10 quality entries and Denise Bland’s Huntsman’s Rebel was sent off favourite. She didn’t disappoint, coming clear of the main pack to register her 20th win of the season.
She is now 10 clear of Ned’s Gain who could only manage fifth place on this occasion.
The puppy maidens had a field of 19 and it was David Clifford’s Eden Redarna who came with a short lead but managed to hold on and beat another of Denise Bland’s, Huntsman’s Ruby who seems to be getting among the tickets now.
The open restricted saw the biggest field of the day, 30, and Denise was again successful. Huntsman’s Nimrod came home well clear with kennel-mate Huntsman’s Quirk in second.
Although there were only six hounds running in the veterans they were all top quality.
Billy Birkett’s freshly clipped General James repeated his win of Tuesday by coming home ahead of Miterdale Shadow.
That win takes him to the top of the Veterans Championship with Hawkswood, who finished third, now just a point behind.
The next trails are on Monday at Rusland, first race 6pm.
August 6 – HTA Premier Trails – Birkett Field
- Hounds – 1. Kirkhead Rebel; 2. Winterfell; 3. Miterdale Dusk; 4. Hunter’s Flame; 5. Reebok; 6. Eagle Star. 16 ran, time 26.41.
- Senior Maidens – 1. Kinniside Dan; 2. Imagine; 3. Foxparke LOL; 4. Overwater Louie; 5. Foxparke Shackalackaboomboom; 6. Intensity. 17 ran. time 27.32.
- Open Puppies – 1. Huntsman’s Rebel; 2. Lady Million; 3. Huntsman’s Rally; 4. Foxparke Beep Beep; 5. Ned’s Gain; 6. Dream Catcher. 10 ran, time 17.46.
- Puppy Maidens – 1. Eden Redarna; 2. Huntsman’s Ruby; 3. Annie May; 4. Malia; 5. Sweet Dreams; 6. Lucky Lottie. 19 ran. time 18.12.
- Open Restricted – 1. Huntsman’s Nimrod; 2. Huntsman’s Quirk; 3. Eagle Girl; 4. Eagle Rock; 5. Overwater Flash; 6. Bretton. 30 ran, time 16.54.
- Veterans – 1. General James; 2. Miterdale Shadow; 3. Hawkswood; 4. Huntsman’s Major; 5. Manna; 6. Foxparke Hooligan. 6 ran, time 18.25.
