After the excitement of the weekend’s trails at the International last night’s action switched to Spadeadam and the quest for championship points.
Up first were the senior hounds with 11 runners and Championship leader. Winterfell was back out after his unlucky mistake at the weekend and went off as favourite.
Sir Robert was also back in action after finishing third in the seniors on Saturday and was second favourite.
There was no Miterdale Duchess, having a well earned rest after her International success, but may be going to Latrigg tonight for a look round in advance of the weekend’s big race.
The running conditions were very good for the hounds, not so good for the owners and punters as it was raining and the mist was down.
As the hounds showed on the finish there was a group together but it was the favourite Winterfell who came with a lead and won comfortably for Barry and Caroline Clough from Amanda and Megan Telford’s Fire Lass in second place.
There was a small field of pups, 12 in total, but the leading hounds were not running, so no Rodney Raider, Silver Dream or Mel.
However Sarah Jane went out favourite and as they came back onto the finish out of the mist it was Lee, Haley, George and Joey Wall’s Denton Fury that just got up to beat Ashley Horn and Sarah White’s Flightline.
The win was the first championship success for the hound and Sarah Jane only finished in fourth place so it would have been a good result for the bookies.
The last race of the night was for the Open Restricted with nineteen runners. Splendid Mickey went off favourite, after winning at the weekend, with Eden Rayna second favourite.
When they showed it was Alan Blacklock’s Busy Again who came with a strong finish to take first place from Tom, Sarah and Ryan Bell’s Ron. David Clifford’s two hounds Eden Romina and Eden Rayna finished third and fourth.
Action moves to Latrigg Top tonight with the first trail setting off at 6pm. Many hounds will be wanting a look round before the main event on Saturday which is the Dog Produce Stakes.
The trails on Saturday have been sponsored by Iggesund, Mike Fell Building Contractors from Keswick, Keswick Cottages, Alan McNichol who has Cumbria Straw Services and Mitchell Auction.
HTA secretary Fiona Dixon said: “It’s a big thank you to all our sponsors as well as a big thank you as always to the farming community for giving permission for the trails to take place over their land.”
June 27 – Spadeadam
- Hounds – 1. Winterfell; 2. Fire Lass; 3. Border Reign; 4. Mr Finnigan; 5. High Crag; 6. Meadow Maggie. 12 ran, time 29.15.
- Pups – 1. Denton Fury; 2. Flightline; 3. Delta Samba; 4. Sarah Jane; 5. Light Up; 6. Fidget. 12 ran, time 24.47.
- Open Restricted – 1. Busy Again; 2. Ron; 3. Eden Romina; 4. Eden Rayna; 5. Denton Shamrock; 6. Splendid Lilly. 19 ran, time 22.54.
