A return to Cold Fell for the second time this season saw 77 hounds contest the four trails.
The seniors started proceedings with a field of 16 lining up at the slip. Mel, for Les and Graham Reid and Ellie Napier was sent off as the favourite.
Mel was seen to be leading the way from Foxparke Honk Honk for Robyn, Ellie, Grace and Nicola Napier and Brooke Butler with Silver Dream for Darren and Julie McMaster and Anthony Skelton in third.
Across the fell in front of the trail field, a group of four had established a small advantage – Mel, Foxparke Sidekick for Robyn, Ellie, Grace and Nicola Napier and Brooke Butler, Dundee for Neil and Gillian Brown and Derek and Joel Bullman and Croft Lass for Stanley, Carole and Sarah Jackson, Ricky Deacon and Donald Hodgson.
Silver Dream was leading the chasing pack ahead of Thorn Soul for Martin, Molly and Teddy Burrows and Sarah Jackson and Huntsman’s Rebel for Denise and Jenny Bland and Graham Little.
As they showed on the finish, Mel, Foxparke Sidekick and Croft Lass had developed a small lead and all three hounds had a chance of leading the race as they dropped down the fell into the finishing field.
When they appeared into view, Foxparke Sidekick snatched the win from Croft Lass by a head with Mel in third.
The pups saw 25 taking part and Huntsman’s Unite for Denise and Jenny Bland and Graham Little was sent off favourite.
Brown Sugar for Graham and Les Reid and Ellie Napier was leading the way from Huntsman’s Unite with Let It Be for Ruth and Charlie Dixon in third.
Through the fell from the trail field and it was still Brown Sugar who was leading from Maggie for Les and Graham Reid, Erin Rowlandson, Barbara Jones and Steven Walker and Huntsman’s Unite in third with Minnie in fourth for Les and Graham Reid, Erin Rowlandson, Barbara Jones and Steven Walker.
As they showed on the top of the fell before the finish Huntsman’s Unite was leading the way from Minnie and Brown Sugar with Tucker for Nicola McMaster and David Todhunter up into fourth.
Jenny’s Chance for Denise and Jenny Bland and Graham Little and Ella and Kyle Gallacher had also made progress into fifth.
As they came into view on the finish Huntsman’s Unite came on to win from Minnie and Tucker.
Jenny’s Chance took fourth with litter mates Let It Be and Maggie in fifth and sixth.
Next into action were the open maidens with 19 lining up and Miterdale Green Queen for Sophie Steele, and Jake and Zach Green was sent off as the favourite.
Climbing out of sight there was a good line of hounds with Offspring for Stuart, James and Jacob Jeynes leading the way from Foxparke Elliot’s Lad for Robyn, Ellie, Grace and Nicola Napier and Brooke Butler with Lucky Moon in third for Geoff Higgins.
Showing as they went through the fell it was still Offspring who was leading from Foxparke Elliot’s Lad with Persian Gold for Michael Watson up into third and Ruby for Stephen Riley and Isla Hetherington lying fourth.
At the top of the finish Foxparke Elliot’s Lad had hit the front and was dropping well with Miterdale Green Queen a close second and Lucky Moon in third.
Coming back into view Miterdale Green Queen finished well to win from Foxparke Elliot’s Lad with Lucky Moon in third.
Thorn Thunder for Joanna, Martin, Molly and Teddy Burrows finished fourth and Mr Mally for George Burgon and Carole Logan was fifth. The final ticket went to the early race leader Offspring.
The final trail of the evening was the Open Restricted with a field of 17 in which Huntsman’s Sparkle for Tracey, Carolyn and Derek Hill was sent off as the favourite.
When they climbed out of sight Huntsman’s Sparkle was leading the way from Malia for Christine Brownlee and Lily for Barbara Jones.
Through the fell Huntsman’s Sparkle was still leading the way from Malia and Malfunction for Sarah White and Overwater Hunter for George Burgon and Carole Logan.
Huntsman’s Sparkle was still leading when they showed at the top of the long finish with Lily in second before a small gap to the chasing pack which was being led by Malfunction.
When they came back into sight Huntsman’s Sparkle was still leading but Lily finished best for the win ahead of the long-time leader.
Overwater Hunter was third from Malfunction and Malia while the final ticket went to Swamp Fox for Tanya Satterthwaite.
Cold Fell – July 16
- Hounds – 1. Foxparke Sidekick; 2. Croft Lass; 3. Mel; 4. Silver Dream; 5. Foxparke Honk Honk; 6. Minnie Million. 16 ran, time 31.32.
- Pups – 1. Huntsman’s Unite; 2. Minnie; 3. Tucker; 4. Jenny’s Chance; 5. Let It Be; 6. Maggie, 25 ran, time 20.06.
- Open Maidens – 1. Miterdale Green Queen; 2. Foxparke Elliot’s Lad; 3. Lucky Moon; 4. Thorn Thunder; 5. Mr Mally; 6. Offspring. 19 ran, time 19. 27.
- Open Restricted – 1. Lily; 2. Huntsman’s Sparkle; 3. Overwater Hunter; 4. Malfunction; 5. Malia; 6. Swamp Fox. 17 ran, time 19.01.
