Thursday saw a return to Calebreak for a three-race card in which 42 hounds turned out.
Visibility was clear and the sun was shining, although the breeze made it feel cooler.
The seniors opened the meeting with a field of 10 and Sportsman for Willie and Craig Mark was sent off as the favourite.
After they were slipped Sportsman went out well as always but this time was joined by Foxparke Elliot’s Lad for Robyn, Ellie, Grace and Nicola Napier, and Brooke Butler with Peggy Sue for Gillian Brown and Mickey O’Brien in third.
As they went out of sight Foxparke Elliot’s Lad had hit the front by half a length from Sportsman and Peggy Sue and the three leaders were beginning to pull away from the chasing pack.
When they showed again later Sportsman was leading from Foxparke Whoosh for Robyn, Ellie, Grace and Nicola Napier and Brooke Butler with Thorn Heart for Colin Satterthwaite in third and Millie’s Lass for George McGimpsy, and Gillian and Millie Telford in fourth.
Then as they dropped down the fell Thorn Heart took the lead and was dropping well but unfortunately ran off slightly putting herself back to second and as they came out of the final dip Sportsman pulled away to claim his 15th senior win of the season.
Thorn Heart finished second with Millie’s Lass in third and Croft Lass for Stanley, Carole, and Sarah Jackson, David Loan, Ricky Deacon and Donald Hodgson was fourth.
Foxparke Whoosh was next and the final ticket went to Foxparke Honk Honk for Robyn, Ellie, Grace and Nicola Napier and Brooke Butler.
Sportsman remains six points behind current table topper Silver Dream.
The pups also had 10 runners and with the championship leader Delta Fortune not running Busy Rascal for Alan Blacklock and Carole Harrison was sent off as the favourite.
As they climbed up the fell two lighter hounds were leading and punters decided that it was Busy Rascal and Degsy Moon for Carolyn, Tracey and Derrick Hill with Foxparke Rita’s Rose for Robyn, Ellie, Grace and Nicola Napier, Brooke Butler and Darren Clark in third.
When they showed over the top of the fell onto the finish Foxparke Rita’s Rose had established a lead and dropping quickly, she finished well to claim her first open puppy win.
Chapel Lad for Ian Fleet, Jayne Peterson, and Oliver, Eleanor and Liam Chisholm finished second with Busy Rascal in third.
Degsy Moon was fourth and was followed home by Affirmation for Laura Steele, Andrew Bulman and Gary Woodend with litter mate (Overwater Gemini/Overwater Louie) Sullivan’s Mist for Gary Woodend taking sixth.
The final trail of the evening was the Open Restricted with a field of 22 taking part.
Summer Spirit for Willie and Craig Mark was sent off as the favourite.
After they were slipped it was a good line of hounds racing on well.
When they were seen again Huntsman’s Quantum for Jim, Ann and Alan and Adrian Little was at the front and begin to pull away but was denied in the final stages by fast finishing We Get By for Sarah White who went past to claim the win.
Huntsman’s Quantum came second with Malfunction for Sarah White finishing third and Huntsman’s Delight for Jim, Anne and Alan and Adrian Little in fourth.
Summer Spirit was next and the final ticket went to Castle Callant for Marti Borrwick and Amy Irving.
Hound racing resumes today at Shap for a four grade meeting; Seniors, Pups, Open Non Winners, Open Maidens. The seniors slip at 1pm.
Sunday will also see the traditional Grasmere Sports take place with a four grade meeting; Pups, Open Restricted, Veterans and Seniors. Pups slip at 11am.
August 21 – Calebreak
- Hounds – 1. Sportsman; 2. Thorn Heart; 3. Millie’s Lass; 4. Croft Lass; 5. Foxparke Whoosh; 6. Foxparke Honk Honk. 10 ran. time 30.15.
- Pups -1 . Foxparke Rita’s Rose; 2. Chapel Lad; 3. Busy Rascal; 4. Degsey Moon; 5. Affirmation; 6. Sullivan’s Mist. 10 ran, time 22.21.
- Open Restricted – 1. We Get By; 2. Huntsman’s Quantum; 3. Malfunction; 4. Huntsman’s Delight; 5. Summer Spirit; 6. Castle Callant. 22 ran, time 21.36.
