This week’s return to Steel Rigg saw 94 hounds turn out over the four-grade meeting.
Up first were the seniors with 16 of them involved with Rodney Raider for Nicola McMaster and David Toddhunter and Huntsman’s Rebel for Denise and Jenny Bland, and Graham Little sent off as joint favourites at 2/1.
The hounds pass the trail field after about 10 minutes of running and leading the way was litter mates Hey Mac for Neil and Gillian Brown, and Derrick and Joel Bullman ahead of Rodney Raider.
The pair had five yards over Huntsman’s Time for Denise and Jenny Bland, and Graham Little and a small gap to Embrace for Laura Steele, Andrew and Joel Bullman, and Ian Rumney.
Onto the finish the hounds can be seen a mile into the distance which gives absolutely fantastic viewing for spectators and when they showed it was Rodney Raider who was leading the race from Sportsman for Willie and Craig Mark, while the last meeting’s winner Eden Rayna for David Clifford was in third with Huntsman’s Rebel in fourth and Lady Million for Brian, Joy and Cathy Lister in fifth.
As the hounds came further into sight Lady Million kept making ground up on the leading hounds with all four of the first group taking turns in leading. Into the penultimate field Sportsman hit the front and began to pull away for the win only to be surprised by the fast finishing Lady Million.
She had come from fifth but the line came just in time for Sportsman to claim his first senior win of the season ahead of Lady Million with Rodney Raider in third, Huntsman’s Rebel in fourth and Eden Rayna in fifth. The final ticket went to Denton Shamrock for Sandra Mordue, Ted Storrows and Lee Wall.
The pups had a larger field of 25 with Tucker for Nicola McMaster and Anthony Skelton, Huntsman’s Unite for Denise and Jenny Bland, and Graham Little, Let It Be for Ruth Graham and Charlie Dixon and Busy Rascal for Alan Blacklock and Carole Harrison all sent off as co favourites at 7/2.
The hounds are seen for a minute as they go out of sight and going out well was Tucker as always with Maggie for Les and Graham Reid, Erin Rowlandson, Barbara Jones and Steven Walker and Spring Gardener for Jenny Horn.
Once onto the mile long finish it was Tucker who was leading the way from Huntsman’s Unite and Foxparke Rita’s Rose for Team Foxparke and Darren Clark and Foxparke Oink Oink for Team Foxparke and Donald Hodgson, both hounds only on their first time round.
As they came further towards the finishing field Tucker was still leading from Huntsman’s Unite but chasing them down was Team Foxparke, Darren Clark and Donald Hodgsons pair of Foxparke Rita’s Rose and Foxparke Oink Oink who hit the front further back.
Once into the final field Tucker grabbed the win by three lengths from fast finishing Foxparke Rita’s Rose who ran a fantastic race on her first time round.
Silver Star for Darren and Julie McMaster and Sadie Wilson finished in third and Huntsman’s Unite in fourth. Foxparke Oink Oink finished in fifth, another hound that ran a great race on her first time round and the final ticket went to Jenny’s Chance for Denise and Jenny Bland, Graham Little, and Ella and Kyle Gallacher.
The largest field of the night was for the Open Maidens with 35 hounds taking part and Inspect for Anna and Kerry Lindsay and Emmie McAulay was sent off as the favourite at 2/1.
Going out well were kennel mates Inspect and Discover ahead of Brown Sugar for Graham and Les Reid, and Ellie Napier.
Once they showed onto the finish there were a lot of dogs coming together but four had broken clear- kennel mates Sir Robert and Senorita for Malcom Holmes, Maggie Moon for Carolyn, Tracey and Derrick Hill and Eagle Rock for Linda Neale, Mark, Georgia and Josh Bryden.
The quartet had a great race to the final field where Senorita and Maggie Moon had the best race to the line with Senorita grabbing the win by a head from Maggie Moon and Eagle Rock was third from Sir Robert.
Castle Callant for Marti Borrowick and Amy Irving finished in fifth and the final ticket went to Tallulah for George Burgon and Carole Logan.
The final race of the evening was the All-In with 18 being slipped and going out well was Millie’s Lad for George McGimpsy, Gillian and Millie Telford along with Eagle Girl for Mark, Josh, Georgia Bryden and Linda Neale.
The race was won by Busy Again for Alan Blacklock and Carole Harrison ahead of Millie’s Lad and Team Foxparke’s pair of Foxparke Fairlady and Foxparke Sidekick and Thornton for Darren McMaster, Sadie Wilson and Anthony Skelton in fifth. The final ticket went to Christine Brownlee’s Malia.
Hound racing resumed today at Gamblesby for a look around for the 2025 Bitch Produce on June 7. Tomorrow hosts a 4 grade meeting- Seniors, Pups, Open Restricted and All-In. Seniors slip at 5.30pm.
May 28 – Steel Rigg
- Hounds – 1. Sportsman 2. Lady Million 3. Rodney Raider 4. Huntsman’s Rebel 5. Eden Rayna 6. Denton Shamrock 16 Ran Time 30.43.
- Pups – 1. Tucker 2. Foxparke Rita’s Rose 3. Silver Star 4. Huntsman’s Unite 5. Foxparke Oink Oink 6. Jenny’s Chance 25 Ran Time 20.30
- Open Maiden – 1. Senorita 2. Maggie’s Moon 3. Eagle Rock 4. Sir Robert 5. Castle Callant 6. Tallulah 35 Ran Time 19.39
- All In – 1. Busy Again 2. Millie’s Lad 3. Foxparke Fairlady 4. Foxparke Side Kick 5. Thornton 6. Malia 18 Ran Time 19.25
