The number of runners were back up at Helton on Saturday as trainers took the opportunity to have a look round ahead of the big trails there on May Day.
With increased prize money on May 1 everyone was keen to see how their hounds would perform round the course.
Conditions for running were very favourable, wet and soft under foot and not too hot for the hounds so ideal running conditions.
There were 35 hounds slipped in the Senior Hounds with favourites Kirkhead Rebel, Winterfell and Cautious featuring in the bookies ring.
Silver Streak and Rex The Rocket were also prominent in the betting but it would be the first time round the senior course for both of those hounds so time would tell as to see how they would run the race.
As the hounds came into sight on the top of the fell there were any number of hounds that could win the race. Rex The Rocket had a small advantage as they dropped down and crossed the road before climbing up to the finish.
When they came in to sight again it was Kirkhead Rebel and Silver Streak who had gained a small lead over Rex The Rocket. Then as they crossed the line there was only a couple of dog lengths between all three and it was Kirkhead Rebel who just got up to beat Silver Streak with Rex The Rocket in third.
Both the younger hounds had finished fast as the ground opened up into slightly cleaner running but Kirkhead Rebel had overcome his seconditis to win for Roy Laidler who will be looking for a repeat on May 1.
The Senior Maiden race had a slightly smaller field of 16 runners but it still proved to be an exciting finish as the hounds climbed up from the bottom.
As they approached the finish it was Alan Blacklock’s Busy Again with her strong fast finish who just got a few lengths clear of Linda Neale, Georgia, Josh and Mark Bryden’s Eagle Rock who finished in second.
The Open Puppy race had a good slip of 22 hounds and included the majority of those hounds who were running well and had been ticketing over the first month of the season.
Graham Reid’s Mel was looking to extend her lead in the Open Puppy Championship and Silver Dream was looking to close the gap at the top.
As the hounds dropped off the fell and ran down to the road, as in the other races, the majority of the hounds were still in contention. When they started to climb up toward the finish a few started to break clear with Embrace taking the lead by a few lengths.
This time he managed to hold on to this lead and crossed the line to take the win from Rodney Raider who was finishing fast in second place and Mel who finished in third place. Silver Dream could only manage sixth place and was slightly off the pace.
The win takes Embrace one point behind Mel in the Open Puppy Championship.
The Open Non Winners race was won nicely by Sarah Jane who is the litter mate to Embrace and Rodney Raider. Sarah Jane won from Paul Airey’s Artisan and Miss Stanhope for Glenis Farren finished in third place. Third place was enough to take Miss Stanhope to the top of the Open Non Winners points competition.
The final race of the day was the Open Restricted and it had the biggest slip of the day with 38 runners. The finish didn’t disappoint with many of the hounds being in contention at the end.
It was a tight finale with three hounds crossing the line with no more than a dog’s length between all three.
After referring to the camera the race was given to Colin Satterthwaite’s Thorn Pop, with Nicola McMaster’s Maverick in second place and Denton Shamrock in third place.
It was a good day’s trailing which hopefully can be repeated on May Day.
