HTA action moved to Spadeadam on Sunday with a four card meeting which attracted 64 runners.
Senior table leader Winterfell had chosen not to run at Millstone Moor on Saturday despite his good record of tickets at the venue. Instead connections had opted for the open running of Spadeadam in the hope of adding to his winning tally.
There were sixteen runners in the race with the in-form Huntsman’s Rebel expected to be his nearest rival.
However as they came onto the finish Winterfell was leading the pack but heading towards the line he was past by the fast-finishing Busy Again for Alan Blacklock.
There aren’t too many hounds that can withstand the fast finish of Busy Again if she is there with the leading hounds.
However it was a surprise victory for Alan who was over the moon to be getting tickets again with the little hound after a period of being off form.
Winterfell had to be content with second place, a disappointment when the hound had been at the front for most of the way round the trail.
Huntsman’s Rebel wasn’t in the first six, but she usually runs better second time round so will be one to watch if there are any more trails at Spadeadam.
Sir Robert finished in third place for Ann and Malcolm Holmes with Tom Bell’s other hound Ron finishing in fourth place.
Next to the slip were the Open Pups with a good slip of eighteen hounds. Rodney Raider was hoping to do better than Winterfell after the decision had been made to run at Spadeadam instead of Millstone Moor.
As they came onto the finish it was Rodney Raider who was heading a small group of hounds, with the biggest challenge coming from kennel mate Sarah Jane, who is starting to hold her own these days and challenge her more successful kennel mates.
As they approached the line Rodney Raider just held on to take the win with Sarah Jane in second place, to make it a one-two for the Dearham kennel.
They were followed home by Denton Fury for Lee Wall and co and then by Embrace who finished well considering he had ran the day before at Millstone Moor.
The Open Restricted race was next with another good slip of 23 hounds. As they came onto the finish there were plenty of dogs in with a chance of winning and it looked like Maverick was going to hold on for the win but just at the last minute Denton Shamrock just got up to pip him to the line for Sandra Mordue and Lee Wall, to deny the Dearham kennel a double on the day.
The last race was for the Veterans with only seven runners. Crazy and Huntsman’s Major were sent out as favourites in the small field and as they came back onto the finish they were in front. In the end it was Crazy who crossed the line first in front of Huntsman’s Major, with both hounds having been at the front for the majority of the way round.
Crazy seems to be back onto a bit of a winning streak with her second success in a week for Jonty and Evie Moore and Jack Thompson.
Action moves to the lakes on Monday tonight with a three-card meeting at Grasmere, with the trail slipping at 6.00pm . This is a look around before the traditional Grasmere Sports trails on the 27th of August.
There is also an additional points competition for those hounds attending over the two meetings with £200 to be split between the top three hounds in any grades.
This has kindly being sponsored by the Grasmere Sports Committee, South Lakes Area and Criffel Vue Private Hire who are contributing £100. This money is on top of the normal prize money which consists of £800 split across the four trails on Sports day.
August 6, Spadeadam
Hounds – 1. Busy Again; 2. Winterfell; 3. Sir Robert; 4. Ron; 5. Dundee; 6. Ned’s Gain. 16 ran, time 28.37.
Pups – 1. Rodney Raider; 2. Sarah Jane; 3. Denton Fury; 4. Embrace; 5. Artisan; 6. Hey Mac.
18 ran, time 21.12.
Open Restricted – 1. Denton Shamrock; 2. Maverick; 3. Eden Romina; 4. Thorn Pop; 5. Dream Catcher; 6. Meadow Maggie. 23 ran, time 23.00.
Veterans – 1. Crazy; 2. Huntsman’s Major; 3. Castle Clansman; 4. Buster Moon; 5. Delta Script; 6. Lucky Charm. 7 ran, time 22.07.
