|
 ALL the gloom and despondency which accompanied last year’s cancellation of the Whitehaven Area Classic was forgotten on Bank Holiday Monday.
The 2010 staging of the event this week was blessed with some of the best weather of the summer, a good crowd and excellent sport.
Perhaps the only disappointment surrounded the entry of just ten for the senior trail where perhaps the prospect of a new trail at the Salter venue had put-off some owners and trainers.
Colin Donaldson has put a lot of work into preparing the trail and it proved a near-perfect venue with all but about ten minutes of the 36-minute running visible to spectators able to take a grandstand view from the natural raised bank in the trail field.
Out by Crag Farm four hounds had started to dominate the trail and get away and when they came to the long, hard finish the same four were still battling it out.
In the end it was Quiet Swallow who dug deep and battled well to hold off the challenge of hot favourite Mayfair to win by two lengths with Cinnabar and Jet Rose following them in.
Because of last year’s cancellation the first running of the John Jenkinson Memorial Trophy had to be put on hold. In fact it was contested in the spring when Jealousy was the first winner.
It is to be contested annually at the Whitehaven Classic and John’s daughter Steph Steele was there on Monday to hand the silverware back to the connections of the Cleator Moor bitch who was scoring again in the maiden trail. She won comfortably from Foxparke Homeward Bound and Roulette and proved to be the only winner from the Whitehaven Area on the day.
The puppy winner Colleen was very impressive in the way she kept finding more on the long, hard slog to the line. Despite pressure all the way from Nike and Medwyn she held on by two lengths.
There was a cracking finish to the puppy maidens who completed the trail in only 26 seconds longer than the pups. 
Colourful produced a great turn of foot on the finish to come from fourth place and beat Temperance while Delahoya and Endurance dead-heated for third.
There was a big entry of 39 for the open restricted and Some Girl was a comfortable winner from White Diamond and Rose.
Barbara and Colin Donaldson organised a puppy show and it proved a triumph for the off-spring from the Quiet Pearl/Quiet Lane litter.
Laura Steele won with her dog pup and took the overall title while Lynn Pawley showed a bitch from the same litter which won her section.
Bill Mellon took second with a dog pup from Silver Stream and Dairy One while a son of Lady of War and Dairy One took third.
Runner-up in the bitch section was Heidi Messenger (Jigsaw/Dairy One) with third place going to Norman Brown (Snowy Owl/Clayton).
It was good to see Tommy Newall back on the trail field to present the trophies and there was also a special thanks to Keith Ireland, whose land provided the trail field, and to the other farms and landowners who gave leave.
The main sponsors were Paul’s Wines, Galemire Veterinary, Jackson’s Timber, Red Mills and Vince Quinn.
We start our look back at the week’s sport with last Wednesday’s Ennerdale Show meeting when 130 hounds contested the four trails. With the HTA October Trails being held at this venue in the final month of the season it was an opportunity to have a look round.
Senior title challenger Huntsman’s Dazzler had led going up the fell but in the end didn’t finish among the tickets.
Molly Malone, who has been making steady progress up the championship table in recent weeks, continued that upward movement when she won again this time comfortable by more than 25 yards from Valhalla with Mayfair a fair distance back in third.
There was an exciting finish to the puppy trail when four cleared the final wall almost in line. But when they got down to fight it out the Dog Produce winner Altanic showed the best finishing speed as he got up late to beat Medwyn with Kingdom just ahead of Enoch in third.
Three hounds had got away when the open maidens approached the finish and it was Roulette who responded best to the whistles to grab the lead and go on to beat Delahoya by two lengths. Silent Witness was just behind in third.
Lofty appeared to have the open restricted in his sights when he opened-up a ten yard lead approaching the finish but Rose wouldn’t be beaten, refused to give in and came with a great, late rattle to get home by three yards with Courtesy finishing strongly in third.
 On Thursday Wythop had the hound trailing scene to itself and enthusiasts watched another good performance by senior championship leader Darling.
Although she was reported to be struggling with a lot of ground to make up it didn’t appear to have bothered her when they came into view and she simply raced away from her field to win majestically. Eden Rusty was best of the rest, beating My Girl on the final run to the line.
There was another impressive display in the pups, this one from Westgate Gypsy who came down the fell in breathtaking fashion after earlier being set a few questions by Lady Agenda.
Westgate Gypsy won easily and Lady Agenda, which should have been second, eventually had to settle for fifth after initially running behind the judge. It left Blackbird to come through and grab runners-up spot from Cracking Mischief.
Dynajet 08 landed a gamble in the open maidens, doing enough to hang on and see-off the late challenge of Fortitude with Quiet Swift in third.
There were three meetings on Saturday – at Patterdale, Low Place and Sandale.
Patterdale Show produced a one-two in the senior trail for the locally-trained pair Jenny’s Dream and Huntsman’s Chance.
Jenny’s Dream won comfortably in the end while Mayfair put in a strong finish to take third with the other two hounds failing to get round.
Just five entries in the seniors and only eight in the pups where there was a disappointing conclusion when first over the line Kingdom was disqualified for alleged interference. Tagget was promoted from second while Huntsman’s Future and Colleen both stepped-up a place.
The best field at the meeting came in the open restricted trail and there was a repeat of the corresponding 2009 trail.
The Real Bandit repeated his win, but had to show great resolve to battle back and take the honours after being headed by Jordan’s Tyke. Boreas took third place.
Conditions were good at Sandale for their meeting and championship leader Darling won very nicely again, coming clear to spread-eagle her field. Quiet Swallow, who was to come out two days later and win the Whitehaven Classic, took second place with Levi in third.
Fourteen maidens contested their trail and once again it was Dynajet 08 who continued a good run of form by winning exceedingly easily from Cavendish and Cannavaro.
Da Look beat Blackbird in the pups who were who were over two and a half minutes faster than the puppy maidens who were led ion by Thorn Boy and Waver Lady.
The third meeting was at Low Place which had started proceedings on Saturday, and there was a shock for favourite backers in the opening senior trail.
In-form Molly Malone was strongly fancied but did not really get into the race so that the finish involved kennel-mates Mabel and Rose with the former winning by three lengths.
The puppy trail did go to the favourite, however, as Medwyn cleverly corrected herself when making a mistake and quickly getting back to dominate the finish and win by some 20 yards from Ryan’s Lady Anna.
Plenty had opportunities in the non winners but it was Ruby who showed the best finishing speed to get away from her main rival Seagal by just enough to squeeze out the victory.
Course specialist Shifter did not let down her supporters in the open restricted and seemed to have the race sewn-up from a long way back. She was unchallenged in the end and won very handily from Foxparke Tiddlywink and Miterdale Gem.
Grasmere Sports on Sunday is one of hound trailing's show-pieces, and although entries were on the small side there were four exciting finishes to keep the onlookers entertained.
In the pups Westgate Gypsy had a nice lead coming down the steep finish, but Altanic was chasing hard. However, Gypsy went on to win by five lengths for her 15th success with Tiagress finishing third.
In the open restricted Deja Vu was in the lead down the fell, with Courtesy in hot pursuit, and it was very close indeed at the line. Deja Vu just got the verdict while Alles Springs was a good third.
For the veterans, coming down the fell it looked as though Misty would win, but Ms Dynamite turned on the gas and overtook, leading into the arena. However, Ms Dynamite had a few moments of hesitation, and although she got over the line first there was only half a length in it. Sophisticated Lady was third.
In the seniors Huntsman's Dazzler led across the top of the fell and onto the steep downwards trod, but Westgate Renney swept past like a thing possessed. Dazzler didn't give in easily and tried hard to catch up again, but had to settle in the end for second place, just a length behind. Crystal was in third.
A word of advice to any hound trailers heading for Lowick Show on Saturday or Loweswater Show on Sunday. They would do well to avoid the A591 Keswick to Windermere road. The Great North Swim is taking place on Windermere and there will be a great deal of traffic and long delays.
Pictures courtesy of Margaret Baxter (top to bottom) - Steph Steele presents the John Jenkinson Memorial trophy at Salter to Peter Scott with senior maiden winner Jealousy; Sue Lloyd, joint organiser of the Trailhound Welfare, with friends and re-homed hounds enjoying a day at Salter; John Taylor presents the valuable Grasmere Sports senior trophy to Sarah and Sue Glaister with Westgate Renney and Russ Dawson's Ms Dynamite won the veteran trail at Grasmere Sports.
HTA points (up to and including Monday 30th August):
All points are nearest still eligible.
Open Restricted - Jordan's Tyke 65 (1 left), White Diamond 59 (2), Rose 57 (1), Ms Dynamite 33 (2).
Senior Maiden - Davina 45 (finished), Spot On 28 (1), Small Print 22 (2), Cavendish 18 (1), Hot as Hell 18 (1).
Puppy Maiden - Thorn Boy 25 (finished), Temperance 24 (1), Quiet Bullfinch 15 (2), True Blue 14 (2), Waver Rock 14 (1).
Open Maiden - Rhinestone Cowboy 60 (1), Wattmore 41 (1), Not Now Jack (1), Quiet Swift 32 (1).
Open Non-Winner - Denial 28 (finished), Hutton Toyah 9, Nemesis 9, Run Don't Walk 9, Birkby Black 8.
Veteran - Sophisticated Lady 58, Some Girl 39, Huntsman's Ruler 28, Lambrini 22, The Real Bandit 22.
Team Competition
Div. 1: It's Showtime 189, Misfits 130, Huntsman's Pack 122, Troubadours 111, Chain Gang 108, Flyin' Banshees 105.
Div 11: Team Pimbley 93, Spotlights 79, Chain Gang 77, Shauna's Sugababes 70, Princess & Pirates 62, Katy's Krackers 47.
HTA Top Tipster:
Florrie Tyson 107, Denis Peare 105, Carole/Lynn 101, Joe Simpson 100, Christine Brownlee 98, Dean Pepper 97.
Latest results in the Border Association have been as follows:-
Thursday 26th August, Thirlwall Castle.
Seniors: 1, Prancer; 2, Jackpot; 3, Telltale; 4, Gold Finger, Spring Dream; 6, Fire Ranger. 8 ran, time 27.31.
Senior Graded: 1, Castle Corrie; 2, Spring Midget; 3, Amber Gem; 4, Skylark; 5, Fire Cracker; 6, Delta Star. 13 ran, time 28.11.
Pups: 1, Spring Roamer; 2, Gizmo; 3, Delta Disco; 4, Spring Rhythm; 5, Lotto; 6. Spring Rambler. 8 ran, time 15.00.
Puppy Graded 1, Delta Diva; 2, Border Pal; 3, Castle Piper. 3 ran, time 16.07.
Saturday 28th August, Newcastleton.
Seniors: 1, Prancer; 2, Jackpot; 3, Houxty Beck; 4, Jacko; 5, Fire Ranger; 6. Telltale. 10 ran, time 26.36.
Senior Graded; 1, Spring Midget; 2, Fire Dream; 3, Lakeland Mist; 4, Delta Star; 5, Mandesha; 6, Fire Cracker. 8 ran, time 28.07.
Pups: 1, Gizmo; 2, Eagle Heart; 3, Delta Disco; 4, Spring Rambler; 5, Spring Roamer; 6, Amber Didier. 7 ran, time 21.11
Open Maidens: 1, Skylark; 2, Peter; 3, Amber Gem; 4, Georgie's Girl; 5, Class Act; 6, Lakeland Echo. 6 ran, time 20.24.
Bank Holiday Monday 30th August, Park Head, Newcastleton.
Seniors: 1, Spring Dream; 2, Fire Ranger; 3, Jacko; 4, Houxty Beck; 5, Lauren's Gift; 6, Spring Midget. 11 ran, time 28.38.
Senior Graded: 1, Fire Dream; 2, Castle Cairn; 3, Lakeland Mist; 4, Fire Cracker; 5, Sparkling Pearl; 6, Amber Gem. 7 ran, time 29.11.
Pups: 1, Spring Roamer; 2, Eagle Heart; 3, Gizmo; 4, Delta Disco; 5, Border Pal; 6, Spring Rhythm. 12 ran, time 20.06.
Open Maidens: 1, Jedi; 2, Skylark; 3, Amber Gem; 4, Lakeland Echo; 5, Castle Piper. 5 ran, time 21.56.
|
Hound Trailing 
News Feeds
