Finally there was some good weather for the Carlisle and Penrith Area last night after they have had some difficult conditions to contend with recently.
The sun was shining and it was a good night for trailing when enthusiasts met up at Calebreak for a three-race card which attracted 72 runners.
The first race to get things underway was for the senior hounds with a very good slip of 23 hounds.
Championship leader Winterfell had been rested for a couple of days so would have been fresh and he was sent off the favourite.
However, as they came back on to the finish it was the in-form Foxparke Beep Beep, who had recently won at Wythop, who came with a good lead and ran on very strongly as she came up to the finishing line to cross in first place.
Foxparke Beep Beep was 7/2 in the bookies ring so not a bad price and this was her third championship win as a senior and moves her up to sixth place in the championship table.
As ever her owners Robyn and Ellie Napier were over the moon with her win and even Bubbles was quite relaxed as she posed for her photo to be taken.
Strawberry Mick for Graham Reid finished well in second place with Winterfell coming in third.
Next up were the Open Puppies with a field of 18 runners. Rodney Raider was favourite to win in the bookies ring but he seems to have just been off form a little bit over recent runs.
Embrace, who is second in the Puppy Championship, was also running and was 6/4.
As they came onto the finish it was proving a good race between a handful of hounds as they approached the line but Embrace dug deep and finished impressively to take the win in front of the much improved Sarah Jane.
Finishing well in third place was Huntsman’s Sparkle for the Hill family who continue to work their magic with the little hound and she seems to be responding to the change in kennel.
The win for Laura Steele, Andrew and Joel Bulman and Ian Rumney’s Embrace takes him to twelve wins just four points behind Rodney Raider.
The last race of the night was for the Open Restricted grade with a field of 31 competing. The Open Restricted points leader Maverick was running and looking to extend his advantage further.
As they came onto the finish it was James and Emily Irving’s Overwater Eddie who seems to have found a new lease of life lately having won at Wythop. He finished well up to the line and crossed first with Maverick close behind in second place and Trinket, who also won at Wythop at the week-end, taking third place for Willie and Gillian Todd.
The second place for Maverick will do him fine as he continues to be able to run the Open Restricted class but extends his lead. He is now clear at the top by 25 points from his nearest rival Thorn Pop.
Its a busy weekend with action moving to Shap on Saturday with a four-card meeting with the first trail slipping at 1.00pm. Then on Sunday it is Grasmere Sports where there is significant prize money and Trophies for all trails.
In addition it will be the conclusion of the points competition which has been run over the two trails at Grasmere and which has kindly been sponsored by Criffel Vue Private Hire, Grasmere Sports Committee and the South Lakes Area Committee.
The £200 up for grabs will be divided out to the top three hounds over the two meetings. The first trail on Sunday slips at 11.00am so an earlier than usual start for everyone.
August 24 – Calebreak
- Hounds – 1 Foxparke Beep Beep; 2. Strawberry Mick; 3. Winterfell; 4. Lady Million; 5. Ron; 6. Huntsman’s Quartz. 23 ran, time 29.02.
- Pups – 1. Embrace; 2. Sarah Jane; 3. Huntsman’s Sparkle; 4. Artist; 5. Rodney Raider; 6. Sportsman. 18 ran, time 20.56.
- Open Restricted – 1. Overwater Eddie; 2. Maverick 3. Trinket; 4. Red Baaeed; 5. Tommy’s Dream; 6. Bob. 31 ran, time 21.10.
