Oulton is going to be a busy venue for the Hound Trailing Association with seven planned during April with the next being staged this afternoon.
It’s a four-race card this time with the first trail for seniors getting underway at 1pm.
The second one on Thursday was in sharp contrast to the conditions that trailers had to put up with the previous night at Cobra Castle.
After the rain and mist it was great to see the sun shining again, which was enjoyed by the trail followers and the hounds.
There were 18 seniors in the opening trail and it was Barry Laidler and Caroline Clough’s Winterfell who came with a substantial lead to win the race easily.
Tony, Marlene, Connor and Carter Irving’s Rex the Rocket was the second hound to finish and both those two hounds have got off to good starts this season after running well last year.
There were also 18 in the puppy trail and it was Laura Steele, Andrew and Joel Bulman and Ian Rumney’s Embrace who repeated her win from the previous Oulton meeting.
Embrace finished a few yards clear of Artiste, now owned by Bill Mellon of Penrith, and they were finished closely by the Dearham trio of Rodney Raider, Silver Dream and Sarah Jane for the McMaster kennel.
The first five were all from the same litter – Silver Dusk and Miterdale Copper.
The open restricted race had the biggest entry of the night, 28, and was won by Cathy Lister’s Dream Catcher followed by Christopher Henderson’s Shine On.
Saturday’s action swung south to Low Place and back to fell terrain after the fields and dykes of Oulton.
The senior trail was won by Huntsman’s Quantum, now owned by Alan Little, with last week’s winner Huntsman’s Quartz back in sixth.
Kirkhead Rebel finished second and last year the hound picked-up 15 second places. It looks as though he still has a severe case of seconditis.
In the puppy trail Sophie Steele collected first and second with Miterdale Diamond and Miterdale Dust. Diamond was collecting her second win to match the two collected so far by Embrace.
The open maidens race was won by Denise and Jenny Bland’s and Graeme Little’s Huntsman’s Star who beat Overwater Marvin.
The All-In race saw eight taking part and it was Roy Laidler’s Cuckoo Lane who beat Ian Rudd and Tony Jackson’s Kinniside Dan.
April 8 – Low Place
- Hounds – 1. Huntsman’s Quantum; 2. Kirkhead Rebel; 3. Miterdale Duchess; 4. Cautious; 5. Huntsman’s Rally; 6. Huntsman’s Quartz. 23 ran, time 26.04.
- Pups – 1. Miterdale Diamond; 2. Miterdale Dust; 3. Huntsman’s Shunshine; 4. Green Queen; 5. Huntsman’s Sparkle; 6. Sportsman. 14 ran, time 18.09.
- Open Maiden – 1. Huntsman’s Star; 2. Overwater Marvin; 3. Missriff; 4. Huntsman’s Major; 5. Red Baaeed; 6. Fly Me To The Moon. 13 ran, time 18.52.
- All In – 1. Cuckoo Lane; 2. Kinniside Dan; 3. Young Harry; 4. Kinniside Miracle; 5. Miterdale Honesty; 6. Kinniside Mick, 8 ran, time 18.45.
April 6 – Oulton
- Hounds – 1. Winterfell; 2. Rex The Rocket; 3. Sir Robert; 4. Mr Finnigan; 5. Imagine; 6. Biff. 18 ran, time 32.21.
- Pups – 1. Embrace; 2. Artiste; 3. Rodney Raider; 4. Silver Dream; 5. Sarah Jane; 6. Eagle Aveya. 18 ran, time 17.25.
- Open Restricted – 1. Dream Catcher; 2. Shine On; 3. Eagle Rock; 4. Tesla; 5. Splendid Mickey; 6. Intensity. 28 ran, time 17.11.
