Easter Monday saw a return to Low Place for the second in the series of four championship trails to take place there.
It was a colder and wetter afternoon compared to the nice sunny day on Easter Sunday at Oulton but the weather didn’t deter the hound trailers.
First to slip were the senior hounds with 11 runners with the main question being set – would Isla Hetherington and Stephen Riley land a double win with Cautious or would course specialist Huntsman’s Quantum get his revenge?
As they came onto the finish those two hounds had a slight lead with Huntsman’s Quantum in front by a few yards from Cautious.
In a late burst for the line Cautious almost got there but Huntsman’s Quantum managed to hang on for the win and thwarting a Low Place double for his rival.
Missriff, for Denise Bland, finished in third a little way back followed in by Miterdale Honesty for the Steele’s. Howgill Lil for Ian Bell managed another ticket and claimed fifth place with the last ticket going to Foxparke Honk Honk one of last year’s pups who seems to be doing well this season and will be one to watch.
Next to slip were the open pups with 13 runners. The Bland team had three runners but the Steele hounds were looking for another home win after Saturday’s success.
As they showed on the finish and dropped in it was Denise Bland’s trio in the first four.
Huntsman’s Tramp crossed the line just in front of Barry Laidler and Caroline Clough’s Classmate, a pup out of Persian Sky and one of Barry’s own hound’s Best Mate.
The little hound has a distinguishing feature as he has a shorter tail than usual which at present doesn’t seem to be affecting his ability to run.
Third across the line was Huntsman’s Trouble followed by Huntsman’s Time providing a pleasing result for the Patterdale kennel.
Miterdale Rambler, the winner on Saturday, had to make do with fifth place and taking the last ticket was Green Power for the Green boys, Jake and Zack Green from Cleator Moor.
Green Power has just returned from a brief holiday to Denise Bland’s where he received extra tuition which seems to have done the trick.
The Open Restricted race was next to slip with a field of 16 runners and as the hounds came back into view it was a good race towards the line between the old timer Cuckoo Lane and Sportsman, one of last year’s pups.
Age triumphed on this occasion as it was the experienced Cuckoo Lane for Roy Laidler who just got up on the line to win with Sportsman having to settle for second place for the Mark’s family.
Foxparke Sidekick finished well in third place for the Napier’s with Maggie Moon in fourth. Ridge Line was fifth followed in by Bob for the Irving family.
The last race of the day was the All-Ins and it was local hounds Miterdale Dust and Miterdale Dainty who brought them home for the Steele’s with Black Eyed Shadow repeating his performance from Saturday, finishing well to claim the third ticket for the Lyon, Parkin and McClean team.
Glamorous Ava finished in fourth place for James and Ava McClelland, with Denise Bland’s Huntsman’s Rebel in fifth and Ned’s Gain claiming the last ticket as he did on the Saturday.
Action continues with a return to Oulton today followed on Thursday by the start of the trails at Cobra Castle.
April 1 – Low Place
- Hounds – 1. Huntsman’s Quantum; 2. Cautious; 3. Missriff; 4. Miterdale Honesty; 5. Howgill Lil; 6. Foxparke Honk Honk. 11 ran, time 27.01.
- Pups – 1. Huntsman’s Tramp; 2. Classmatel 3. Huntsman’s Trouble; 4. Huntsman’s Trustl 5. Miterdale Rambler; 6. Green Power. 13 ran, time 21.10.
- Open Restricted – 1. Cuckoo Lane; 2. Sportsman; 3. Foxparke Side Kick; 4. Maggie Moon; 5. Ridge Line; 6. Bob. 16 ran, time 19.11.
- All-In 1. Miterdale Dust; 2. Miterdale Dainty; 3. Black Eyed Shadow; 4. Glamorous Ava; 5. Huntsman’s Rebel; 6. Ned’s Gain. 16 ran, time 18.18.
