Thursday saw a trip to Carlisle and Penrith Area for the first time for a trail at West Woodburn.
Fifty-eight hounds turned out and up first were the Seniors, with 17 hounds being slipped.
Silver Dream was sent off as the favourite.
From the start, Rodney Raider for Nicola McMaster and David Toddhunter was leading the race with Silver Dream for Darren and Julie McMaster, and Anthony Skelton, Glamorous Ava for James and Ava McClellan and Embrace for Laura Steele, Andrew and Joel Bullman, and Ian Rumney and all four were driving the trail well.
Reports came in from the road that five had gained a lead which were Rodney Raider, Silver Dream, Sir Robert for Malcolm Holmes, Embrace and Millie’s Lass for George McGimpsey and Gillian and Millie Telford, with Embrace having dropped back.
Once onto the finish it was kennel mates Rodney Raider and Silver Dream who had established a lead and had a great race to the line with Rodney Raider just holding on and getting the win by a head to claim his first Senior win of the season ahead of Silver Dream repeating his win at the venue this time last year. Sir Robert finished in third.
Up next were the Pups with a field of 10 and Delta Fortune for Sarah and Baz Harper, and Hartley Robinson was sent off as the favourite.
Racing away from the trail field, four had broken away from the rest of the hounds which were Delta Fortune who was leading Tucker for Nicola McMaster and Anthony Skelton.
The pair had 10 yards on Denton Phantom for Lee, Hayley, George and Joey Wall, Sandra Mordue and Ted Storrows and Silver Star for Darren and Julie McMaster, and Sadie Wilson.
All took turns driving the race on. Onto the finish it was a good battle up to the line with Delta Fortune taking the win by a head to claim his second puppy victory from Tucker, Silver Star finished in third.
Up next were the Open Maidens with 22 hounds. Cracking Artist was sent off as the favourite.
Viewing from the trail field it was Dundee for Neil and Gillian Brown, and Derrick and Joel Bullman who was leading the race from local hound Inspect for Kerry and Anna Lindsay and new owner Emmie McCauly.
Once onto the finish it was a very close finish as they approached the line with every hound in with a chance of winning but Eagle Girl who had shown in front for Mark, Josh and Georgia Bryden and Linda Neale showed a fantastic turn of foot to take the win by a small head. Taking second place was Inspect and Senorita for Malcolm Holmes finished in third.
The final trail of the evening was the All-In with nine hounds taking to the trail.
Four hounds broke clear from the start and it was Sportsman for William and Craig Mark, and Billy Lindsay who was leading from Border Reign for Annabelle Connelly, with Lady Million for Joy and Brian Lister in third and Summer Spirit for William and Craig Mark, and Jack Lindsay in fourth.
The four hounds gained a bigger lead as they came onto to the finish and it was still Sportsman who had led for most of the way who took the win by a very small head from Border Reign, with Lady Million in third.
Hound trailing resumes tomorrow, Tuesday, April 29, for a return to West Woodburn for Seniors, Pups, Open Restricted and All-In. Seniors slip at 5.30pm.
West Woodburn – April 24
- Seniors – 1. Rodney Raider 2. Silver Dream 3. Sir Robert 4. Millie’s Lass 5. Flightline 6. Denton Shamrock 17 Ran Time 29.45
- Pups – 1. Delta Fortune 2. Tucker 3. Silver Star 4. Denton Phantom 5. Zoya 6. Denton Addonis 10 Ran Time 17.26
- Open Maidens – 1. Eagle Girl 2. Inspect 3. Senorita 4. We Get By 5. Dundee 6. Castle Callant 22 Ran Time 16.19
- All-In – 1. Sportsman 2. Border Reign 3. Lady Million 4. Summer Spirit 5. Malfunction 6. Overwater Hunter 9 Ran Time 16.48
