MARTIN Rush had a share in the double grade champion Bushie who won open maiden and non-winners honours last year.

With Tony Jackson and Ian Rudd, they were responsible for Bushie’s successes in the two low grades.

Now Martin, who is only 23 and one of the youngest trainers in the HTA, has landed a title of his own with his charge Hot as Hell, the 2009 senior maiden champion.

Three-year-old next year, Hot as Hell hardly saw the trail field in 2008, her puppy season because of a catalogue of injuries.

“Jackie Dobson as going to sell her to Ireland but I thought she might b worth persevering withy and I bought him off her.

“She’s ran consistently all year and has regularly been among the tickets. She won open maidens at Egremont and Gamelsby and a senior maiden at Dean.

“I ran her in a few of the big meetings and she was ninth in the international; fifth in the Festival meeting at Cold Fell and third at Askam. I’ve been happy with how she’s performed,” he says.

Hot as Hell is by Some Man out of Kinniside Gem and Martin is hopeful of her being as consistent again next year, provided she can steer clear of injuries.

He admits that his older bitch Hot Fuss has been frustrating with set-backs throughout the 2009 season, yet she still finished with eight wins.

“She had three wins on the bounce at the start of the season but then did her toenail and was off for a while.

“She came back and won two more in quick succession before losing form and later in the season was diagnosed with a skin infection.

“I think the fact that she had eight wins, despite those set-backs as encouraging and again if she can avoid any problems I’m hopeful of having some fun with her next year,” he says.

Martin was introduced to the sport as a thirteen-year-old ten years ago by Tony Jackson and he helped-out for eight years.

“Tony got me into the sport and taught me how to feed and train the hounds. I still follow his advice and add in other things I’ve learned over the years,” he says.

He’s now looking to bring-on a pup for 2010 – Sawdust whose by Calzaghe out of Paris completes the Rush kennel line-up.

“She’s going well so far and seems to have got the hang of things. She won a private trial on Tuesday and has always been there or thereabouts. It’s early days, of course, and a lot can happen between now and April,” he says.

Martin also confessed that Sawdust, and also Hot Fuss, are named after albums by the Killers!

Certainly Martin looks as though he has the ability to become one of the HTA’s brightest young trainers in the years ahead. It will be interesting to watch his progress.

On December 26th (Boxing Day) trial trails will be held at the Racecourse, Kendal, at 11.00 am, pups followed by seniors.

There are to be four trial trail meetings at Shap Summit on Wednesday the 23rd, Monday the. 28th, Wednesday the 30th and Saturday 2nd January, all starting at 1.00 pm.

The running times will be roughly 6 - 8 minutes and anyone attending should use the entrance nearest Shap village, as the one from the top has been washed out.

If you would like your trial trails to be put on the HTA website, please let the Secretary have the details, but note that the trails must be open to all.

Barbara Telford sent me a note to ay a big thank you on behalf of the BHTA Supporters Club to everyone who gave prizes, and bought and sold tickets, to make their Christmas raffle such a successful event.

She said: “We are indebted to the generosity of hound-trail supporters.

We would also like to thank, the Greyhound Inn at Burgh By Sands for accommodating us and for the delicious buffet,”

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