Carlisle and Penrith Area hosted a three grade meeting which was contested by 40 hounds.
Sixteen of them were slipped for the senior race with Sportsman, for Willie and Craig Mark, was sent off as the favourite.
Over the Sewing Shields course the hounds can first be seen in the distance before they come into sight in front of the trail field after roughly eight to 10 minutes running.
Inspect for Kerry and Anna Lindsay and Emmie McAulay was leading a great line of hounds all having a good race.
As the hounds came further into sight at the end of the wood they had a scale and Huntsman’s Time for Denise and Jenny Bland and Graham Little took the opportunity and led them away with a group of 10 hounds in close order and being led by Sportsman, Millie’s Lass for George McGimpsey, Gillian and Millie Telford and Huntsman’s Rebel for Denise and Jenny Bland and Graham Little.
As they showed on the finish the same hounds were heading the race for the line.
Huntsman’s Rebel had the advantage over kennel-mates Millie’s Lass and Millie’s Lad with Sportsman in fourth.
But as they approached the line Sportsman put in a fast finish to win by a short head after coming from fourth ahead of Millie’s Lad.
Millie’s Lass and Huntsman’s Rebel couldn’t be separated so dead heated for third with a small gap to litter mates Countess Ava for James and Ava McClellan in fifth and Malfunction for Sarah White taking the final ticket.
The win for Sportsman took him back level with Silver Dream after her win at Dearham on Monday evening.
The pups had 10 lining up at the slip with Huntsman’s Unite for Denise and Jenny Bland and Graham Little and Jenny’s Chance for Denise and Jenny Bland, Graham Little and Ella and Kyle Gallacher sent off as joint favourites.
When they were slipped Let It Be for Ruth and Charlie Dixon was an early leader and as the hounds came into sight in the distance Let It Be was still leading from Puppy Championship leader Delta Fortune for Sarah and Baz Harper and Hartley Robinson.
The hounds come further into sight and past the trail field where five had got away from the others.
The leading group of Delta Fortune, Denton Phantom for Lee, Hayley, George and Joey Wall, Sandra Mordue and Ted Storrows, Huntsman’s Unite, Jenny’s Chance and Let It Be were all taking turns at leading.
As they dropped down out of sight Huntsman’s Unite ran high and did herself no favours.
When they appeared on the finish Jenny’s Chance had established a lead and finished well to win ahead of Denton Phantom and Let It Be.
Huntsman’s Unite got back to them and finished fourth with table leader Delta Fortune in fifth.
The final ticket went to Deggsy Moon for Tracey, Carolyn and Derrick Hill.
The final race of the evening was the open maidens with a field of 14 lining up at the slip.
Litter mates and kennel mates Senor and Senorita were sent off joint favourites.
When the runners went past the trail field Senor was leading the way ahead of Senorita with Offspring for Stuart, James and Jacob Jeynes in close pursuit.
As the hounds headed out of sight they were difficult to tell due to the sun shining on them but it was clear that five had got themselves clear of the rest.
When they raced onto the finish Senor was leading from Delta Scribble for Sarah and Baz Harper and Hartley Robinson.
It was another great finish with another late surge proving effective.
This time it was Dundee who came from third for Neil and Gillian Brown and Joel and Derrick Bulman to claim a close win from Mr Mally for George Burgon and Carole Logan with Offspring in third.
Senor finished in fourth and Delta Scribble was fifth.
The final ticket went to Sir Robert for Malcom Holmes.
Sewing Shields – September 30
- Hounds – 1. Sportsman; 2. Millie’s Lad; 3 (Dead Heat) Millie’s Lass and Huntsman’s Rebel; 5. Countess Ava; 6. Malfunction. 16 ran, time 27.34.
- Pups – 1. Jenny’s Chance; 2. Denton Phantom; 3. Let It Be; 4. Huntsman’s Unite; 5. Delta Fortune; 6. Deggsey Moon. 10 ran, time 17.21.
- Open Maiden – 1. Dundee; 2. Mr Mally; 3. Offspring; 4. Senor; 5. Delta Scribble; 6. Sir Robert. 14 ran, time 17.21.
