Both HTA championship leaders failed to add to their totals at Sandale last night.
On a dreadful night weather-wise senior table-topper Duchess Ava was out of the tickets while puppy leader Huntsman’s Rebel was also out of contention in her race.
The meeting was on the receiving end of some heavy, squally showers which made life unpleasant for spectators and trainers alike as there was no shelter on the field.
There were a good number of runners, however, across the four trails with the biggest field for the opening seniors.
From the 28 runners it was Summer Spirit owned by Willie and Daphne Mark who just got home in a thrilling finish, beating Denise Bland’s Huntsman’s Novice by a head.
Another decent field of 20 contested the puppy trail where favourite Huntsman’s Rebel finished back in the main pack behind the ticketing hounds.
It was Brian and Joy Lister’s Lady Million who came with the strongest finish to win by three lengths from the second favourite, the Napier’s Huntsman’s Beep Beep. Alan Blacklock’s Busy Again was in third place.
The open non-winners went to Geoff Higgins’ Lucky Lottie but it was touch and go on the finish as they all put a loop in as they came through the final gate.
Lucky Lottie righted herself best and got away to beat Overwater Eddie who was a close second.
The weather had closed in and visibility was greatly reduced by the time the open maidens set-off. It didn’t help that the trails had been running half an hour late due to a delay before the opening seniors.
When the dogs came onto the finish it was James Irving’s Overwater Louie who was in front and held on to beat Nicola McMaster’s Silver Dancer.
August 18 – Sandale
Hounds – 1. Summer Spirit; 2. Huntsman’s Novice; 3. Howgill Lill; 4. Forlorn Spring; 5. Huntsman’s Nimrod; 6. Biff. 28 ran, time 33.27.
Pups – 1. Lady Million; 2. Foxparke Beep Beep; 3. Busy Again; 4. Silver Streak; 5. Eden Redarna; 6. Huntsman’s Rally. 20 ran, time 19.24.
Open Non-Winner – 1. Lucky Lotti; 2, Overwater Eddy; 3. Huntsman’s Ruby; 4. Samcro; 5. Vinny Moon; 6. Foxparke Whoosh. 17 ran, time 21.03.
Open Maiden – 1. Overwater Louie; 2. Silver Dancer; 3. Foxparke Shackalackaboomboom; 4. Foxparke Parma Violet; 5. Foxparke Joey Elliot; 6. Foxparke Jog On. 13 ran, time 20.04.
