The curtain came down on the 2022 HTA season in traditional fashion with the final meeting at Millstone Moor.
The main question was could Winterfell join Duchess Ava level on wins to share the runners-up slot behind Jenny’s Quest in the senior championship?
Well the Yorkshire-trained Winterfell put up a great effort but was beaten by his brother Kirkhead Rebel.
Winterfell had been rested on Saturday and was sent-off the favourite in a field of 14 which included Duchess Ava but not Jenny’s Quest.
The litter brothers really push each other on when they are in the same race and so it proved when they showed together neck and neck on the finish.
But Kirkhead Rebel nearly always proved to be the stronger in the end as that’s exactly what happened again with Roy Laidler’s dog getting home by a couple of yards.
James McLelland’s Duchess Ava ran well to finish third and will have the runners-up slot to herself.
There was a reduced field in the senior maidens with only five runners as a number of trainers have laid their hounds off at the tail end of the season.
Thorn Rose and Black Edition were the 6/4 joint favourites and as they appeared from behind the farm they had a good lead over the rest.
As they climbed the hill to the line Thorn Rose came clear for Martin Burrows with Lisa Whitfield’s Black Edition finishing a respectable second.
There was no Huntsman’s Rebel, the champion, for the puppy trail and Lady Million went off favourite at 4/6.
Foxparke Beep Beep was second favourite having just been beaten by Lady Million at the last meeting.
When they came into sight it was Lady Million and the much-improved Lucky Lottie who were battling it out coming up the hill.
Lady Million still had plenty left in the tank and she came away powerfully to win well from Geoff Higgins’ Lucky Lottie while Alan Blacklock’s Busy Again finished at a rattle to take third.
In the puppy maiden race Foxparke Whoosh made up for the disappointment of Foxparke Beep Beep’s non appearance among the puppy ticket winners.
Foxparke Whoosh stayed on well to beat Dundee.
The last race of the day, and of the season, was for veterans and Miterdale Shadow, a former senior and puppy champion, showed he still had it in him as he raced strongly up the hill to beat Hawkswood and Foxparke Hooligan in a small field of three.
October 31 – Millstone Moor
- Hounds – 1. Kirkhead Rebel; 2. Winterfell; 3. Duchess Ava; 4. Howgill Lil; 5. Barncroft Spirit; 6. Imagine. 14 ran, time 25.28.
- Maidens – 1. Thorn Rose; 2. Black Edition; 3. Foxparke Shackalackaboomboom; 4. Solitaire; 5. Babyliss. 5 ran, time 28.42.
- Pups – 1. Lady Million; 2. Lucky Lottie; 3. Busy Again; 4. Foxparke Mysteriously; 5. Strawberry Mick; 6. Thorn Thunder. 11 ran, time 16.17.
- Puppy Maidens – 1. Foxparke Whoosh; 2. Dundee; 3. Tommy’s Dream; 4. Chapel Stile; 5. Kinniside Bobby; 6. Twilight Mist. 8 ran, time 17.27.
- Veterans – 1. Miterdale Shadow; 2. Hawkswood; 3. Foxparke Hooligan. 3 ran, time 17.27.
