Thrilling trails at Oulton

Darren McMaster with Silver Dream and Nicola and Sadie with Rodney Raider and Sarah Jane first three in the Puppy race at Oulton.

The Hound Trailing Association was back at Oulton again on Sunday and with plenty of hounds, good weather and some thrilling trails the meeting was enjoyed by all.

There was a good slip for the senior hounds with 16 entries and the two joint favourites – Winterfell and Rex the Rocket – led them out of sight.

Both hounds were neck and neck throughout the race and exchanged first and second over the trail and came onto the finish still neck and neck.

As they came up the hill onto the finish they were still neck and neck but on this occasion it was Rex the Rocket who proved just the stronger, getting up on the line to score.

There were 21 pups at the slip and when they got round, coming onto the finish, it could have been anyone of six hounds who won the race.

Tony Irving with Rex The Rocket winner of the Senior Hounds at Oulton.

However just coming away before the line was Darren McMaster and Julie McMaster’s Silver Dream followed closely by Rodney Raider and Sarah Jane with not more than a dog’s length separating all three.

There was an even bigger entry for the open maidens with 28 at the slip and it was Donna Hetherington’s Tesla who came up the hill to win with Alan Blacklock’s Busy Again finishing well to get second place ahead of Joy and Brian Lister’s Imagine.

Donna Hetherington with Tesla winner of the Open Maiden race at Oulton.

The first veterans race of the season saw 12 hounds involved and it was Cracking Spirit who finished well to beat Splendid Mickey with Hawkswood in third place.

The action moves back to Low Place this afternoon for the fell hounds to strut their stuff. It’s a five race card with the action starting at 1pm.

April 9 – Oulton

Hounds – 1. Rex The Rocket; 2. Winterfell; 3. Dundee; 4. Fire Lass; 5. Silver Streak; 6. Thorn Pop. 16 ran, time 29.58.
Pups – 1. Silver Dream; 2. Rodney Raider; 3. Sarah Jane; 4. Thorn Gift; 5. Artiste; 6. Hunter’s Zodiac. 21 ran, time 17.22.
Open Maiden – 1. Tesla; 2. Busy Again; 3. Imagine; 4. Shine On; 5. Eagle Rock; 6. Foxparke Mysteriously. 28 ran, time17.01.
Veteran – 1. Cracking Spirit; 2. Splendid Mickey; 3. Hawkswood; 4. Foxparke Shackalackaboomboom; 5. Best Mate; 6. Foxparke Jiggley Puff. 12 ran, time 17.19.