The final in the series of trails at Low Place was held in terrible weather so the organizers did well to get the meeting on.
The senior hounds were first to slip with sixteen runners and Huntsman’s Quantum and Cautious were both expected to be fighting out the finish.
As the hounds showed on the top both were there in a group of three hounds running together.
However, as they dropped in it was Denis Pear and Jackie Gill’s Miterdale Duchess who had gained a lead and crossed the line in front.
Denise Bland, Jim and Alan Little’s Huntsman’s Quantum was a couple of yards behind followed by Isla Hetherington and Stephen Riley’s Cautious in third, who was about a hundred yards off the pace.
Foxparke Honk Honk, for the Napier and Butler kennel, finished in fourth place, with Sophie Steele’s Kinniside Miracle, another of last year’s pups finishing in fifth place followed by Ian Bell’s Howgill Lil.
The open pups were next to slip with a small field of seven runners. The possible favourite to win the race was Barry Laidler and Caroline Clough’s Classmate having had a first and a couple of minor tickets at previous races.
When the hounds finally showed on the fell before dropping down it was James and Ava McClelland’s Countess Ava who just managed to cross the line in front of Barry Laidler and Caroline Clough’s other youngster Snowfell followed by Classmate.
The win for James with Countess Ava took her to joint first place with Denise and Jenny Bland, Greame Little and Lisa Crosby’s Huntsman’s Time with three wins each.
Although this may change as action returns to Oulton on the Sunday and Huntsman’s Time has a 100 per cent record round there and will be strongly fancied to gain her5 fourth point.
Miterdale Rumble, for Sophie, finished in fourth, with Denise and Jenny Bland, Graeme Little and Lisa Crosby’s Huntsman’s Tramp in fifth place.
Only five finished with the other two hounds returning to the start, probably as a result of the weather conditions on the day. The longer time of the trail also reflected that.
Next to slip were the Open Non-winners with fourteen sent on their way. As the hounds dropped in there were only four in sight with the one in front having a good lead.
As they came into the last field it was Carolyn, Derrick and Tracey Hill’s veteran hound Vinny Moon who finished well to take his first win.
A couple of hundred yards behind Huntsman’s Trust crossed the line for Denise and Jenny Bland and Graeme Little.
Freddy Moon, also for the Hill’s, finished in fourth place and only four of the fourteen managed to get round with a number coming back.
The last race of the day was for the Open Restricted hounds with a slip of seventeen.
As they showed in the last field it turned out to be one of the most exciting finishes of the day with a race to the line between Roy Laidler’s veteran hound Cuckoo Lane and Roy Laidler and Sophie Steele’s Kirkhead Rebel. Cuckoo Lane just got there to take the first ticket.
Missriff for Denise Bland finished in third place with the Hill’s, who seemed to be having a great day, taking fourth and fifth with Maggie Moon and Milo Moon.
The last ticket of the series at Low Place went to Rex The Rocket for the Irving family.
Despite the weather being poor, everyone had an enjoyable day and were appreciative of the efforts of the Steele family in organizing the trails on behalf of the Low Place Supporters Committee. Funds raised will be distributed to local causes in the valley.
Action switches to field, dykes and moss today where Rodney Raider will be looking to extend his lead in the senior championship for the Dearham kennel and Denise and her team will be looking to extend Huntsman’s Time’s lead in the puppy Championship.
Action starts at 1.00pm with all the trails having prize money of £50.
April 13 – Low Place
Hounds – 1. Miterdale Duchess; 2. Huntsman’s Quantum; 3. Cautious; 4. Foxparke Honk Honk; 5. Kinniside Miracle; 6. Howgill Lil. 16 ran, time 26.59.
Pups – 1. Countess Ava; 2. Snowfell; 3. Classmate; 4. Miterdale Rumble; 5. Huntsman’s Tramp, 7 ran, only five finished, time 21.13.
Open Non-Winners – 1. Vinny Moon; 2. Huntsman’s Trust; 3. Apache Brave; 4. Freddy Moon. 14 ran, only four finished, time 22.51.
Open Restricted – 1. Cuckoo Lane; 2. Kirkhead Rebel; 3. Missriff; 4. Maggie Moon; 5. Milo Moon; 6. Rex The Rocket. 17 ran, time 18.51.