Bank Holiday Monday will see the first major trail of the 2025 season take place, hosted by the Carlisle and Penrith Area at Helton.
There will be a five grade meeting. Seniors will slip at 4pm, later than normal for a major trail but it gives time for the pony trekking to finish at Pooley Bridge before the hounds race onto the fells.
A look around took place on Saturday April 19 saw 143 hounds turn out with 14 Seniors taking to the trail.
Three hounds broke away when they had crossed the line – Silver Dream for Darren and Julie McMaster, and Anthony Skelton, Huntsman’s Trouble for Denise and Jenny Bland, Graham Little, and Ellie Napier and Mel for Les and Graham Reid, and Ellie Napier (who led them over the last road before the finish).
This year the Senior hounds are racing for the new Warnell Hall Challenge Trophy, a gift from Nicolas and Kate Coulson who own the hall to mark the retirement of one of their long standing gardeners, William Mark.
They wanted to give something to acknowledge the passion and dedication that William had for his hound trailing.
William and his family have been involved in hound trailing for a very long time, too many years to mention and on his retirement along with other gifts they presented the Trophy to be used at the May Day Trails.
William is still heavily involved with the organising and running of the trail and many other trails in the Carlisle and Penrith Area.
William will be hoping that his hounds are fit and well for the day and will no doubt give it his best shot to be the first to win the trophy, possibly with his hound Sportsman.
Other hounds that will be in contentions include Mel who is in top form and will be looking to claim her fourth Senior win and will be fancied by many punters along with the two-year-old Huntsman’s Trouble and Silver Dream who is currently at the top of the Senior championship and off to a flying start to the season.
Huntsman’s Rebel has hit good form after winning the Seniors at Lowther Park on Saturday and ticketing consistently in these last two weeks and also has good form around the course so another one to watch out for, a watchful eye will also be kept on last years winner, Embrace, who will be there to regain his title.
In the Maidens, last time’s winner Maggie Moon will be looking to repeat her success so is expected to be one of the top favourites.
Ruby who finished second is a very consistent little hound and very rarely misses a ticket in her maiden races, but can last year’s Croft Lass make a winning return after an injury at the start of the season?
Kennel mates Hey Mac and Dundee have also seemed to have hit top form at a fantastic time of year so they will be another two to look out for, but can the eight-year-old Zola grab a ticket againt?
In the Pups, the top form Delta Fortune who has won all five races in his last five outings and is currently top of the puppy championship table will be the hot favourite to win after his win at the look around previously, or can Huntsman’s Unite get one up this time on him after dead-heating in the pups at Lowther on Thursday night and winning again on Saturday?
Zoya and Maggie who are very consistent will also be popular favourites, or can Busy Rascal rediscover her early season form and get back onto the scoresheet?
Puppy Maidens is always a popular race this time of year, Jenny’s Chance would be the favourite after recent from ticketing in Open Maiden company in these last couple of runs along with litter mate Let It Be who won the Whitehaven Classic in style last week.
Nellie’s Pride could spoil the party after ticketing in the Open Pups at the look around so can the Cleator Moore bitch give another good performance in a lower grade?
The Dearham-based hound Silver Star will have this race as a target for the team for some time after a fantastic start to the season along with litter mate Sullivan’s Mist who is gathering form after an injury at the start of the season.
The Open Restricted which is likely to have a lot of runners will have Foxparke Sidekick as the warm favourite after her impressive win at Whitehaven Classic last week so will be looking to get another win under her belt.
The St Helena All-In specialist Duchess Ava will be expected to be in the tickets as she is in top form, another hound in good form is Let’s Go For It. A highly improving young hound Malfunction will also go well on this course.
