Saturday saw the first trail at Helton take place – a chance to give the hounds a look around before the first major HTA trail, May Day on May 5.
There were 143 hounds who turned out over the five course trail.
Up first were the Seniors with 14 taking to the trail. Darren and Julie McMaster and Anthony Skelton’s Silver Dream was sent off as the favourite.
Once slipped, the hounds go out of sight for the most of the trail but are seen dropping down the very back fell into the bottoms, although aren’t very easy to make out.
Once they were back in sight it was Mel for Les and Graham Reid, and Ellie Napier who was heading the race ahead of Huntsman’s Trouble for Denise and Jenny Bland, Graham Little, and Ellie Napier, with Silver Dream in third.
Following a great race up the hill, Silver Dream won by a head from Huntsman’s Trouble with Mel finishing a length back in third.
The win takes Silver Dream to five wins in the Championship three points clear of Cautious and Mel in joint second place.
Up next were the Senior Maidens with a field of 27. Inspect and Ruby were sent off as joint favourites.
Once the hounds were in sight, two had broken clear from the pack – Ruby for Stephen Riley and Isla Hetherington who was leading from Carolyn, Tracey, and Derrick Hill’s Maggie Moon.
Maggie Moon pulled away to get the win. Finishing in third was Huntsman’s Quirk for Denise and Jenny Bland.
The next race of the evening was the Pups where 28 hounds were slipped. Tucker was sent off as the favourite.
Going out well was Delta Fortune for Sarah and Baz Harper, and Hartley Robinson. Once back into sight Delta Fortune was still leading the race with Tucker for Nicola McMaster and Anthony Skelton in second.
On the final climb up the finish Delta Fortune had a great race with Huntsman’s Unite for Denise and Jenny Bland, and Graham Little, with Delta Fortune getting the win by a head, much to the delight of Sarah getting her first open puppy win since joining the HTA. Tucker finished in third.
Up next was the Open Non-Winners with 21 lining up at the slip. Miterdale Green Queen led the race ahead of We Get By for Sarah White.
The pair had a fantastic race up the finish with neither hound giving up any ground but it was We Get By who managed to grab the win with his big strides by a small head. The next group was being led in by Freddie Moon for Tracey, Derrick and Carolyn Hill who claimed third ticket.
The final trail of the day was the All-In with 53 hounds lining up at the slip.
The very consistent Glamorous Ava finished well for James and Ava McClellan to beat Christine Brownlee’s Maeve, Ruth Graham and Charlie Dixon’s Let’s Go For It in third.
Hound Trailing resumes today, Thursday, at West Woodburn for Hounds, Pups, Open Maidens and All-In. Hounds slip at 5.30pm.
Helton – April 19
Hounds – 1. Silver Dream 2. Huntsman’s Trouble 3. Mel 4. Huntsman’s Rebel 5. Rodney Raider 6. Cautious 14 ran time 29.36
Maidens – 1. Maggie Moon 2. Ruby 3. Huntsman’s Quirk 4. Thorn Heart 5. Miterdale Rumble 6. Lucky Moon 27 ran time 30.43
Pups – 1. Delta Fortune 2. Huntsman’s Unite 3. Tucker 4. Zoya 5. Maggie 6. Nellie’s Pride 28 ran time 19.22
Open Non Winners – 1. We Get By 2. Miterdale Green Queen 3. Freddie Moon 4. Spring Return 5. Let It Be 6. Mr Mally 21 ran time 18.37
All-In – 1. Glamorous Ava 2. Maeve 3. Lets Go For It 4. Foxparke Side Kick 5. Peggy Sue 6. Senor 53 ran time 18.31
