Most of the hounds towards the top of the HTA senior championship table contested the opening trail at Millstone Moor last night.
But they were all out of luck as the 5/1 shot Cracking Last One Two dug deep to beat them all for Bill Mellen’s team.
At half-way it seemed to be a very open race with Cracking Last One Two just in front as they came in sight before heading down the trail towards Bridekirk.
When they came back round and started the long climb back up the hill it was Cracking Last One Two fighting it out with Miterdale Duchess. The Mellen charge dug deep and kept on strongly to eventually win by two or three yards.
Hunter’s Flame, second in the table, could only manage fifth and table leader Duchess Ava didn’t claim a ticket.
There were 19 for the puppy trail and Huntsman’s Rebel, the clear table leader, was odds on to go and add to her impressive tally.
At halfway the favourite was in front but the chasing pack was right behind and when they eventually showed on the finish Huntsman’s Rebel had one serious rival in Silver Streak.
They both seemed to hesitate at the last gate and they were neck and neck coming up the hill before Silver Streak just edged in front. Then in a dramatic late lunge with almost the last stride Huntsman’s Rebel nosed ahead and close inspection of the camera confirmed that Denise Bland’s champion-elect had got the verdict for her 29th win of the season.
It was desperately hard luck for Nicola McMaster after a great run by Silver Streak and she had to settle for second place again in the final race for open restricted hounds.
Colin Satterthwaite’s Thorn Pop showed with a lead at the bottom of the hill and maintained an advantage of three to four lengths to beat Silver Dancer.
22nd September – Millstone Moor
Hounds – 1. Cracking Last One Two; 2. Miterdale Duchess; 3. Biff; 4. Miterdale Dusk; 5. Hunter’s Flame; 6. Imagine. 15 ran, time 26.13.
Pups – 1. Huntsman’s Rebel; 2. Silver Streak; 3. Lady Million; 4. Annie May; 5. Foxparke Mysteriously; 6. Apache Raider. 19 ran, time 16.29.
Open Restricted – 1. Thorn Pop; 2. Silver Dancer; 3. Milo Moon’ 4. Meadow Maggie; 5. Miterdale Honesty; 6. Oakbank Izzy. 24 ran, time 17.06.
