Kirkhead Rebel has a string of second places to his name this season, but he made no mistake at Cumrew on Saturday.
Barry Laidler’s charge led in the 13-runner field ahead of Brain Graham’s Eleanor’s Lass for his sixth success – to go with 15 seconds.
There was good news on Duchess Ava who had led the senior table for most of the season before injury.
She has failed to ticket on her return but James McLelland would be pleased to see her finish sixth, perhaps an indication that she is coming back into form.
But is it going to be too late as she is three behind the new table leaders Jenny’s Quest with time running out?
There were eight pups slipped but to the disappointment of everyone they were over time and the race was declared void.
The open maiden trail was contested by seven runners and victory went to Malcolm and Ann Holmes Sweet Dreams who finished ahead of the Napier family’s Foxparke Shackalackaboomboom.
That second place took the Foxparke hound into second place in the grade championship which has been won by Brian and Joy Lister’s hound Imagine.
The final race of the day was for open restricted and in the end it was Brian and Erin Rowlandson who won it with Blue Diamond from David Clifford’s Eden Rayna.
Buttermere Show today launches the final week of the season and there are still grade championships to be sorted.
In the seniors positions could change but Jenny’s Quest (13) leads from Duchess Ava (10) and Winterfell (9) and will be a hot favourite to hang on.
The puppy championship is all sewn up with Huntsman’s Rebel way out in front for some time.
The puppy maidens, however, still has to be won with a number of hounds still in with a chance.
The open restricted championship is still to play for with Forlorn Spring and Oakbank Izzy still battling it out.
Oakbank Izzy is sitting with a three point lead with only two trails to go and both at Buttermere.
Forlorn Spring likes that particular venue so Izzy is going to have her work cut-out to keep the lead.
The open-non winners grade has gone to Neil Brown’s Dundee from the Napiers’ Foxparke Whoosh.
22nd October – Cumrew
Hounds – 1. Kirkhead Rebel; 2. Eleanor’s Lass; 3. Sir Robert; 4. Howgill Lil; 5. Cracking Last One Two; 6. Duchess Ava. 13 ran, time 32.50.
Pups – 8 ran, void – over time.
Open Maiden – 1. Sweet Dreams; 2. Foxparke Shackalackaboomboom; 3. Shine On; 4. Foxparke Joey Elliott; 5. Solitaire; 6. Dundee. 7 ran, time 24.52.
Open Restricted – 1. Blue Diamond; 2. Eden Rayna; 3. Insider; 4. Thorn Snap; 5. Denton Shamrock; 6. Denton Balboa.
11 ran, time 22.54.
