Wednesday night saw the final trails at Edges Green for the 2024 season.
There were small numbers of hounds but a surprise turnout from Rodney Raider, the early-season table leader who has been off for most of the last few months.
It was nice to see him out running again and he is currently third in the championship table one point behind Huntsman’s Rebel in second place.
Last week at Edges Green it was Money Talks who won but in his absence it would be Hey Mac, Lady Million and Mel who would be looking to challenge for first place along with Embrace.
Out on the trail it was Eden Rayna, Hey Mac, Rodney Raider, Embrace and Castle Callant who were heading up the first group of dogs taking it in turn to lead. They were being followed by the others with Mel heading that group.
As the hounds showed on the finish the majority of the hounds were there and in with a chance.
Castle Callant had dropped back and Mel had made some ground up and caught up with the leading group.
As they approached the line it was anyone’s race to win but it was Rodney Raider who was awarded first place with Hey Mac for Neil and Gillian Brown and Derick and Joel Bulman in second place.
Embrace for Laura Steele, Andrew and Joel Bulman and Ian Rumney finished in third place with Eden Rayna holding on to get fourth for David Clifford.
Mel had moved up to fifth place for Ellie Napier and Les Reid with Castle Callant getting sixth ticket.
The win for Rodney Raider moves him up to joint second place in the championship race for Nicola McMaster and David Todhunter making things more interesting as the last week of the season approaches.
Will he be sound enough to run again before the season finishes?
The open pups were next with just three runners and it was Huntsman’s Time who was the odds-on favourite to win with Blue Striker second favourite.
As they completed the trail all three hounds took turns leading but once on the finish it looked as though Blue Striker was going to win but went behind the judges and Huntsman’s Time came through to grab the win.
Millie’s Lad was second with Blue Striker given third place.
The win for Huntsman’s Time gives her a better chance of remaining in front of Thornton with only five races left to go. Thornton will run at Millstone Moor on Thursday where he seems to like the running and has a great chance of pulling a point back as Huntsman’s Time is now three points clear again.
The last race of the day was for the Puppy Maidens. There were12 runners and they all more or less stayed together the whole way round the trail with Good Enough for Graham Reid leading them for most of the way.
Once on the finish they all went behind the judge and the decision was given to Malcolm Holmes’ Senorita with Good Enough having to settle for second place.
Foxparke Elliot’s Lad for Ellie Napier was third. Come Fly With Me finished in fourth place with Mister Mally taking fifth for George Burgeon and Carol Logan. The last ticket of the day went to Peggy Sue.
Third place for Foxparke Elliot’s Lad was enough to secure him the Puppy Maiden points competition. If Miterdale Rumble gets a second and a first place then he would equal Foxparke Elliot’s Lad.
Hey Mac and Huntsman’s Time were awarded trophies for the most points over the two trails.
Millstone Moor stages a three race meeting today when Joseph Abram and Nicola McMaster will be looking to get first in both seniors and puppy races to help secure the senior championship and to keep them in the race for the puppy championship.
October 23 – Edges Green
- Hounds – 1. Rodney Raider; 2. Hey Mac; 3. Embrace; 4. Eden Rayna; 5. Mel; 6. Castle Callant. 10 ran, time 27.18.
- Pups – 1. Huntsman’s Time; 2. Millie’s Lad; 3. Blue Striker. 3 ran, time 18.29.
- Puppy Maidens – 1. Senorita; 2. Good Enough; 3. Foxparke Elliot’s Lad; 4. Come Fly With Me; 5. Mister Mally; 6. Peggy Sue. 12 ran, time 18.32.
