The first of two trails at West Woodburn, with the second planned for May 30, was held last night.
It was dry but cold for the hound so really good conditions for them to run in.
The senior hounds were first to slip with just 10 runners but although the field may have been small there were a number of top hounds running.
Reigning champion Winterfell was back out after his win on Tuesday night at Cobra Castle, while last year’s puppy champion Rodney Raider, and the current championship leader, was also running.
As the hounds came onto the finish it proved to be a good race between Winterfell, Rodney Raider and Maverick with any of the three hounds in with a chance.
In the end it was David Todhunter and Nicola McMaster’s Rodney Raider who just came through to win from Joseph Abram’s Maverick, with Winterfell just running out of steam as he approached the line to let the other two hounds through.
There was a gap to the fourth hound which was Lady Million for Brian and Joy Lister with Christopher Henderson’s Shine On finishing in fifth. Tom, Sarah and Ryan Bell’s Ron was back in sixth place.
Next to slip were the open pups with a rather better number of 18 and as they came back into sight there were two hounds with a lead, Lassie and Millie’s Lad.
They were neck-and-neck as they approached the line but it was Tom, Sarah and Ryan Bell’s Lassie who just got up by a length to take her first win of the season with George McGimpsey and Gillian and Millie Telford’s Millie’s Lad finishing well in second place.
Minnie Million for Brian and Joy Lister was the next to show and finished in third place followed by Lassie’s Kennel mate Ben in fourth. The last two tickets were claimed by Senorita and Senor for Malcolm Holmes.
The last to be slipped were the open maidens with a field of 18 hounds and typically there wasn’t anything screaming to be backed in the bookies ring.
When they showed on the finish there were half a dozen dogs in with a chance, but two hounds had a slight lead as they approached the line.
In the end Inspect, for Anna and Kerry Lindsay, crossed the line half a length in front of kennel mate Explore giving them a one-two in the race.
Eagle Girl for Mark, Josh and Georgina Bryden and Linda Neale finished a few lengths behind in third place followed by Overwater Hunter in fourth and Spring Remedy in fifth for Jenny Horn. Castle Callant took the last ticket.
The All-In race was won by David Clifford’s Eden Rayna followed by Annabelle and Norman Connolley’s Border Reign.
Action moves to Cold Fell on Saturday when the Whitehaven Area host the Whitehaven Classic, with all trails being £100, plus trophies and rosettes. The first of five races gets underway at 1pm.
West Woodburn – April 25
- Hounds – 1. Rodney Raider; 2. Maverick; 3. Winterfell; 4. Lady Million; 5. Shine On; 6. Ron. 10 ran, time 27.26.
- Pups – 1. Lassie; 2. Millie’s Lad; 3. Minnie Million; 4. Ben; 5. Senorita; 6. Senor. 18 ran, time 20.19.
- Open Maiden – 1. Inspect; 2. Explore; 3. Eagle Girl; 4. Overwater Hunter; 5. Spring Remedy; 6. Castle Callant. 18 ran, time 16.38.
- All – in – 1. Eden Rayna; 2. Border Reign; 3. Mr Finnegan; 4. Lucky Charm; 5. Lucky Chance. 9 ran, only five finished, time 17.30.
