The 2025 International takes place today at Tallentire Hill, near Cockermouth, for a six grade meeting – Seniors, Senior Maidens, Open Pups, Puppy Maidens, Open Restricted and Veterans.
With the weather set to be fair and mostly like getting hotter as the day goes on, International Chairman Andy Horn wished all the runners the very best of luck.
He thanked the International Committee, the land owners and farmers, the sponsors Hoban’s Self Drive, Thompson’s of Prudhoe, New Hall Firewood, Cockermouth Supporters and Bill Aitchison for their generous and continued support as well as the Cockermouth and Workington Area for hosting the trails and all those who have helped put on the showpiece on the day.
Andy added: “I hoped everyone had a good days sport. Good luck to everyone racing on the day.”
- Seniors: Noon
- Senior Maidens 12.45pm
- Open Pups: 2.15pm
- Puppy Maidens: 2.45pm
- Open Restricted: 3.15pm
- Veterans: 3.45pm
25 HRA hounds are entered in the Senior race with 3 Irish hounds entered as well. Silver Dream for Darren and Julie McMaster, and Anthony Skelton will be the hot favourite after having knocked up 13 Senior wins this season.
Some danger to Silver Dream might come from Sportsman for Willie and Craig Mark who has notched up 5 Senior wins this season. Another contender could be the consistent Mel for Les and Graham Reid and Ellie Napier.
Others to note is last year’s Senior International winner Rodney Raider for Nicola McMaster and David Toddhunter who will be there to defend his title, James and Ava McClellan’s pair of Countess Ava and Baroness Ava, Huntsman’s Rebel for Denise and Jenny Bland, and Graham Little who’s also knocked up five wins this season along with Thorn Soul for Joanna, Martin, Molly and Teddy Burrows and Sarah Jackson.
In the Senior Maidens, there are 42 HRA hounds entered. There will be another short priced favourite, Croft Lass for Stanley, Carole and Sarah Jackson, Ricky Deacon and Donald Hodgson. Her likely challengers will be the much improved Miterdale Green Queen for Sophie Steele, Zach and Jake Green who has really took off this season.
The ever present Ruby for Stephen Riley and Isla Hetherington who rarely misses a ticket in the grade for her team should once again be on the premises along with Thorn Heart for Colin Sattherwaite who is currently leading the Senior Maiden championship and Foxparke Dealer may be within the tickets for Robyn, Ellie, Grace, and Nicola Napier, and Brooke Butler after having a couple of Senior tickets in the last few runs.
The Open Pups will have 16 HRA hounds entered. Local hound and likely favourite Tucker for Nicola McMaster and Anthony Skelton will be looking to add a double on the day for the Dearham kennel if his kennel mate is as successful earlier in the day in the Seniors.
Likely dangers are no doubt to come from 2025 Bitch Produce winner Maggie for Les and Graham Reid, Erin Rowlandson, Barbara Jones and Steven Walker and Huntsman’s Unite for Denise and Jenny Bland, and Graham Little, along with table topper Delta Fortune for Sarah and Baz Harper, and Hartley Robinson and with litter sister Zoya for Stephen Irving and Caroline Graham who excels in the heat, or can Busy Rascal for Alan Blacklock and Carole Harrison pull out a long overdue 5th win?
In the Puppy Maidens, 23 HRA hounds have entered. Another likely short priced favourite for the top form Dearham kennel is local hound Silver Star for Darren and Julie McMaster, and Sadie Wilson.
Litter sisters Sullivan’s Mist for Gary Woodend and Prospect Jill for Stuart Smith along with her kennel mate Prospect Jan could be her greatest danger along with Foxparke Rita’s Rose for Robyn, Ellie, Grace and Nicola Napier, Brooke Butler and Darren Clark and Foxparke Pip Pip for Robyn, Ellie, Grace and Nicola Napier, Brooke Butler and Donald Hodgson.
The Open Restricted on paper looks the hardest race to pick a winner with 66 HRA hounds entered.
After the news of last year’s winner Eagle Girl being out of the running she has to leave it to her kennel mates in the Veterans to pull out a win. Any one of the 6 will be vying for the favourite – Foxparke Fairlady, Foxparke Sidekick and Foxparke Honk Honk for Robyn, Ellie, Grace, and Nicola Napier, and Brooke Butler, 2021 Puppy Champion Duchess Ava for James and Ava McClellan and Cracking Artist for Bill and Pat Mellon, and Robert and Tina Airey could also pull out the win along with Flightline for Sarah White.
Danger to these 6 could come from Open Restricted Championship leader Blue Striker for Brian and Erin Rowlandson and Billy Birkett. Plenty of other hounds and owners will all be fancying their own runners on the day making it a very exciting race.
The veterans will see 16 HRA hounds entered. Table topper Eagle Rock for Linda Neale, Mark, Georgia and Josh Bryden will be bidding to maintain his very good form.
Brian Graham should have his 4 hounds running and may have his own plans to take the win with all 4 hounds themselves in great form Will it be Young Harry, Reebok, Bretton or Eleanor’s Lass who can give Eagle Rock the most work to do?
Zola for Stephen Irving and Caroline Graham who has rarely missed out on a ticket in the grade this year could come as a danger to any of the 5 hounds along with last year’s Veteran Champion Miterdale Duchess for Denis Peare and Jackie Gill who will not go down without a fight.
