Thursday saw a return to Millstone Moor and with spectacular views out over the lake district fells it was a beautiful night to be trailing.
There were three races planned with the senior hounds getting things off to a start with an excellent slip of 23 hounds. The senior championship is very close currently with three hounds competing for the top spot but Mel and Embrace are hard at their heels with only six weeks left in the season.
Huntsman’s Rebel moved one clear following her win at Buttermere on the 10th September and this was followed by Rodney Raider returning to winning ways at Moss Peteral and drawing level with Huntsman’s Rebel a week later. Both are now one point clear of Sliver Dream.
Huntsman’s Rebel and Silver Dream were in the field last night and going to the line both hounds looked the part. Huntsman’s Rebel looked full of herself and keen to get going with Silver Dream also keen to get to the line.
Once slipped and heading down to Bridekirk punters were struggling to make out the dogs due to the bright sunshine but there were six hounds with a lead, and as they crossed at the lonning it was Huntsman’s Rebel and Silver Dream who were heading the race.
On the long climb back up to the top of Millstone Moor, over the last gate and half-way up the hill, it looked like Huntsman’s Rebel had the race in the bag but Silver Dream was just a couple of lengths behind.
As they neared the finishing line it was Silver Dream with a last minute push who got up to win from Huntsman’s Rebel, and it had been a great race between two top hounds. The win for Silver Dream means all three top hounds now have eleven wins each.
Foxparke Beep Beep ran a great race to finish in third place for Robyn, Ellie and Grace Napier and Brooke Butler, followed home by the rest of their kennel’s entries Foxparke Side Kick in fourth place, Foxparke Honk Honk in fifth and to round things off Foxparke Fair Lady in sixth.
Next to slip were the open pups with a good entry of 17 and like the senior race both top hounds were running in Huntsman’s Time and Thornton, and both were at the top of the bookies board.
Competition was likely to come from Minnie Million and Huntsman’s Trouble and as the hounds showed on the finish it was Thornton and Minnie Million who were battling it out for first place.
About 100 yards off the tape Thornton and Thorn Soul, who are siblings, had just pulled away from Minnie Million and were head-to-head. It was Thorn Soul who came from second to cross the line first in the last stride by a short head for the Burrow’s family and Sarah Jackson. The win was her sixth win of the season.
A much improved run by Thornton earned second place for the Dearham team of Darren McMaster, Anthony Skelton and Sadie Wilson. Minnie Million ran on well to get third place for Joy and Brian Lister with Denise Bland and Co’s Huntsman’s Time not too far behind in fourth place.
George McGimpsey and Gillian and Millie Telford’s Millie’s Lass finished in fifth place with Huntsman’s Trouble for Denise and Co taking the last ticket in sixth place.
So there’s no change at the top of the puppy championship with Huntsman’s Time still five points clear of Thornton but there are positive signs that Thornton is gradually coming back on top form.
The last race of the night was the open maidens with a good field of 25 runners. The Foxparke team had a good few runners again and were looking for a repeat of the senior race but with a first place.
Eden Romina was running and more points would extend her lead in the open maiden points competition.
As they showed on the finish and climbed up the hill there was a strong contingency of Foxparke’s. Foxparke Dealer was the favourite to win and was in front as they approached the line but it was Foxparke Majesty who just pipped her kennel mate. She had come through from fourth place to win in quite remarkable fashion.
Foxparke Dealer had to settle for second place with the reliable Eden Romina taking third place for David Clifford.
Foxparke Mysteriously finished in fourth place with Foxparke Danny Elliot in fifth while the last ticket of the went to Inspect for the Lindsay sisters, Anna and Kerry. Eden Romina is now just eight points short of hitting the 100 mark.
Action moves to the weekend with the Teviot Head Show up in the borders on Saturday where they will be hosting four trails. Then there’s a return to Wythop on Sunday, again with a four race card.
September 19 – Millstone Moor
Hounds – 1. Silver Dream; 2. Huntsman’s Rebel; 3. Foxparke Beep Beep; 4. Foxparke Side Kick; 5. Foxparke Honk Honk; 6. Foxparke Fair Lady. 23 ran, time 26.00.
Pups – 1. Thorn Soul; 2. Thornton; 3. Minnie Million; 4. Huntsman’s Time; 5. Millie’s Lass; 6. Huntsman’s Trouble. 17 ran, time 17.15.
Open maiden – 1. Foxparke Majesty; 2. Foxparke Dealer; 3. Eden Romina; 4. Foxparke Mysteriously; 5. Foxparke Danny Elliot; 6. Inspect, 25 ran, time 17.12.
