The weather was kind, there were lots of entries and the atmosphere was really good so the HTA’s May Day trails at Lazonby Fell had all the right ingredients.

The prizes were presented by landowners Joe and John Harris, who are big supporters and do all they can to welcome trailing enthusiast to the venue.

I knew Joe Harris during my time on the staff at Cumbrian Newspapers and he was always a very friendly, pleasant man interested in the thoughts of the employees.

The meeting got off to a really good start with an excellent finish to the seniors where Ms Dynamite confirmed recent excellent form when holding off One Man, with Mayfair close up in third place.

Lots of senior maidens were in with a chance after they'd run closely grouped all the way. At the tape it was David Clifford's Eden Rusty who won well from Sara's Gift and Spot On.

Three pups came on the finish together and had a great race to the line. In the end Habana drew three lengths clear with Claymore and Macy Grey almost together over the tape.

There was chaos at the finish of the puppy maidens, as the large leading group were very closely-bunched.

It was very difficult for the catchers and the owners too, and the initial decision, putting Dusky Dawn in first place, was overturned later on after consultation of the camera.

Luckily Dairy Sound was distinctively clipped half way down his sides, which made eventual identification easier and everybody seemed satisfied with the outcome. Cinnabar and Tarantino were inches behind in second and third places.

There was a massive slip of 70 in the open restricted, but it came down to a three-way battle in the end, with Dolly Daydreams beating Truthful and Halloween in an excellent finish.

Paul Airey, the Carlisle and Penrith Area chairman said: “It was a very good day’s sport and I think we were fortunate that we got the very first really good spring weather. It was gorgeous and great for watching the trails, which produced good finishes.

“We had a problem in sorting-out a bunched finish to the puppy maidens but fortunately the camera was a big help. I’d also like to praise the people who had hounds involved in the finish as they were most helpful towards getting the right result.”

Members also had the opportunity to have a look at a bronze statue of Gambler, a hound from 100 years ago. The statue was presented by Lord Lonsdale to Gambler's owner, Leonard Bowe, for winning the Lowther trail three times, and the new owner has generously let it go on display for this occasion.

The tipster competition on the day was won by Liam Appleby (£18) with 23 points after choosing Ms Dynamite, Congressman, Habana, Tarantino and Halloween.

Mark Bryden (£10) with 22 had the same first four, but chose Jenny's Pride for the OR while third was David Howson (£8) with Mayfair as his senior pick, followed by the same four as Liam, and Joe Simpson (£5) had the same as Liam's except for a duck egg in the senior maidens.

Jason Ward, John Milburn and Ken Kinsella (£3 each) had 19 points. Not enormous prize-money, but it's the glory that counts, and a donation of £20 is going to the Air Ambulance.

Charlotte Stobbart's quiz for the Junior Club was drawn, and the winner was John Hutchinson.

                                                                                                   Lazonby Fell
Hounds: 1, Ms Dynamite; 2, One Man; 3, Mayfair; 4, Clayton; 5, Superseven; 6, Boreas.  23 ran, time 28.09. Other placings: 7 - 10: Extra Hot, Westgate Ruby, Gigolo, Bonny Lass.
Maidens: 1, Eden Rusty; 2, Sara's Gift; 3, Spot On; 4, Congressman; 5, Eden River; 6, Madison.  37 ran, time 28.30. Other placings - 7 - 10: Paradox, Splendid Star, Kelly-Mac, Howgill Anna.
Pups: 1, Habana; 2, Claymore; 3, Macy Grey; 4, Della; 5, Aira Force; 6, Newtown Clover.  18 ran, time 17.35. Other placings - 7 - 10: War Song, My Girl, Gentle Lady, Grange Moss.
Puppy Maidens: 1, Dairy Sound; 2, Cinnabar; 3, Tarnatino; 4, Honcho; 5, Westgate Tally; 6, Courtesy.  44 ran, time 17.54. Other placings -  7 - 10: Dusky Dawn, Georgie's Girl, Jim Dandy, Huntsman's Dazzler.
Open Restricted: 1, Dolly Daydreams; 2, Truthful; 3, Halloween; 4, Jenny's Pride; 5, Huntsman's Charm; 6, Huntsman's Chance.  70 ran, time 16.02. Other placings -  7 - 10: Sycamore, Millbeck, Team Spirit, The Real Bandit.

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