It was another fine night for hound trailing when the HTA moved back to Kirkland for their mid-week action.
Although it was slightly cooler than the previous meeting it made for excellent conditions in which the hounds could run.
There was a good turn-out of hounds with twenty seven running in the senior trail
Winterfell set off as favourite and just showed what good form he is in at the moment.
As they crossed the second road Winterfell was just in front and when they came back into sight on the long finish down the fell he had gained a bit of a lead and finished well to take the win.
This takes him to seven points in the Championship and extended his lead to three points from his nearest rival Huntsman’s Quantum.
Barry Laidler and Caroline Clough just hope he remains injury free and he will have a good chance to clean up over the next few months with the major trails season starting in earnest.
Interestingly the time of the race was exactly the same as he set in Monday night’s race which would please his connections.
The Open Pups also had a good field of runners with twenty five involved and as they came back into sight it was the three litter mates Silver Dream, Rodney Raider and Embrace who came together.
Daren and Julie McMaster’s Silver Dream had the better finish and came through to win from Rodney Raider and Embrace.
James McClelland’s Glamorous Ava finished fourth with the Napier families Foxparke Fair Lady finishing fifth and Graham Reed’s Mel finishing in sixth place.
The last race of the night was the Open Restricted trail and had the biggest slip of the night with thirty three hounds taking part.
It was Maverick, owned by Joseph Abraham and Sadie Wilson who showed and maintained his lead to win the race from Colin Satterthwaite’s Thorn Pop. That second place for Thorn Pop takes her to one point behind Tesla in the Open Restricted points Competition.
The win by Maverick gave the Abraham/McMaster kennel a double on the night.
Proceeds raised at the trails go towards supporting Ennerdale Show and other local charities.
Action moves to Cleamire at the week-end with a revised trail but same finish as the International Trails last year.
The Aspatria and Wigton Area Committee has had to revise the trail and has incorporated more fields and dykes but it should be a good afternoon of hound trailing. With a five races over different grades there should be something for everyone.
This trail is the first of two meetings at the venue with the second one being held on the 31st May. There will be on-field catering and bookmaking for anyone who fancies a flutter.
May 17 – Kirkland
- Hounds – 1. Winterfell; 2. Lady Million; 3. Busy Again; 4. Huntsman’s Rally; 5. Cautious; 6. Rex The Rocket. 27 ran, time 27.51.
- Pups – 1. Silver Dream; 2. Rodney Raider; 3. Embrace; 4. Glamorous Ava; 5. Foxparke Fair Lady; 6. Mel. 25 ran, time 19.22.
- Open Restricted – 1. Maverick; 2. Thorn Pop; 3. Ron; 4. Meadow Maggie; 5. Swamp Fox; 6. Eden Romina. 33 ran, time 19.58.
