By John Walsh

Last updated 11:07, Thursday, 08 May 2008

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, writes John Walsh.

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Winners: Wendy Dawson with Ms Dynamite and David Clifford with Eden Rusty, who won the senior and senior maiden trails

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, writes John Walsh.
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.”
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.
Charlotte Stobbart’s quiz for the Junior Club was drawn, and the winner was John Hutchinson.
Before we look back at the rest of the week’s trails, I must mention Alan Blacklock’s pup Busy Future, which was missing for over a week from Helton, and was located in a camper van near Drigg.
It was spotted by Jeff Higgins when he was walking his dogs on the beach and was lying asleep in the front seat.
Alan said: “The man was on holiday from Wales and was at Haweswater when he saw a few pups running about. He picked up Busy Future and had kept him for over a week until Jeff spotted him.
“He was going to take him back to Wales with him but fortunately Jeff and a few of the lads from West Cumbria went back with an annual, explained about the sport and showed the registration number in the ear to prove the hound’s identity.
“He passed it over and the lads brought it back to me at Oulton on Tuesday.”
We start our look back at St Helena last Wednesday when Calzaghe produced a rattling finish to get up and beat leader Magenta right on the line.
Bluebird and Touch of Class were locked together all the way up the finish of the pups and it could have gone either way. In the end Bluebird just had a head out in front.
The open restricted went to Westend Bond who beat Owtlook by two lengths with Miss Dido a similar distance behind in third.
They raced at Kendal on Thursday on the Soot Box trail with variations.
Ms Dynamite showed her well-being ahead of the May Day trails when she won by three yards from Langdale Trooper and Gigolo.
Claymore jumped the last wall in front in the pups, but Habana finished better and won by five lengths, with Macy Grey very close up in third.
Seven Up won the open restricted winner but it was close for all the tickets, although a lot of the runners were miles back, and the All-In trail won by Huntsman’s Chance was similar.
They were also at Oulton on Thursday when Westgate Kyza just had enough on Some Girl at the finish of the senior trail.
The camera had to sort-out the pups but the leading pair couldn’t be separated and a dead heat was called between The Penny Arcade, who had led for most of the way down the finish, and Westgate Lark.
In another tight finish to the open restricted trail, Toffee Man just got home by half a length from Regularity.
On Saturday at Gamelsby, Alfresco had her first win of the season, beating Silent Star by about five yards.
Wisla came with the lead and finished well in the pups, beating Miss Lulu by five yards while it was really good to see Jackie Pattinson and Alannah Smith taking first and third in the open maidens with Reno and Mambo, who are both running well.
They were also at Lamplugh on Saturday and the four trails went off well after Brookdale had beaten Lady Ryan’s by four lengths in the opening senior race.
Tell Tale led all the way up the finish in the puppy trail and eventually beat Devon Lass by three lengths.
Farmer beat Madison by four lengths in the open maidens while Diplomatic had three yards on Miss Molly in the open restricted.
On Tuesday at Oulton, Westgate Kyza repeated Thursday’s success over Some Girl. The pair were clear of the rest and the reigning champion had a few yards to spare.
Westgate Lark followed-up Thursday’s dead heat by getting in front fully this time, but it was only by a head in the end as the fast-finishing Bluebird, on her first look round Oulton, was getting there all the time.
Toffee Man was the third repeat winner in the open restricted but Pursuit didn’t make it easy for the judge by going behind him. The judge’s call was correct, however.
The Border HTA raced at Westwoodburn last Thursday when Trust added another victory to her growing catalogue of senior successes.

Thursday, May 1, Westwoodburn

Seniors: 1, Trust; 2, On-Line; 3, Sparkling Pearl; 4, No Go; 5, Denton Memory; 6, Puzzle. 12 ran, time 25:50.
Senior Maidens: 1, Jedi; 2, Fire Dream; 3, Mr Ed; 4, Castle Tarras; 5, Spring Moss; 6, Legend. 7 ran, time 26:42.
Pups: 1, Summer Venture; 2, Summer Delight; 3, Fire Ranger; 4, Farm Time; 5, Gold Finger; 6, Farm Watch. 14 ran, time 12:20.

Saturday was the last BHTA fixture at Westwoodburn. The Telfords’ two-year-old bitch Trust made it a clean sweep winning all the senior trails, beating Marshman and Fire Glory.
Sarah and Hartley Robinson's Delta Star and held on to her lead to win the senior maidens from On-Line and Fire Dream.
The puppy trail was another Summer 1-2, this time Craig and David Mark's Summer Delight finished strongly to beat Summer Venture and Fire Ranger.
Aaron Horn’s Spring Midget was the comfortable winner of the puppy maiden race ahead of Templer and Denton Friendship.
George Telford and Linda Neale's Eagle Gill was the veteran winner form Denton Memory and No Go.

Saturday, May 3, Westwoodburn.

Seniors: 1, Trust; 2, Marshman; 3, Fire Glory; 4, Puzzle; 5, Mandesha; 6, Freedom. 12 ran, time 26:53.
Senior Maidens: 1, Delta Star; 2, On-Line; 3, Fire Dream; 4, Jedi; 5, Springfield Lass; 6, Spring Moss. 12 ran, time 26:50.
Pups: 1, Summer Delight; 2, Summer Venture; 3, Fire R anger; 4, Farm Time; 5, Farm Watch. 5 ran, time 12:55.
Puppy Maidens: 1, Spring Midget; 2, Templer; 3, Denton Friendship; 4, Tartan Nikki; 5, Castle Corrie; 6, Gold Dust. 10 ran, time 12:55.
Veterans: 1, Eagle Gill; 2, Denton Memory; 3, No Go; 4, Castle Thorn; 5, Azinger; 6, Amber Shamara. 7 ran, time 12:30.

Monday’s BHTA trails at Eskrigg, made £364 for cancer research, with thanks to sponsorship from Fred Story and the generosity of the local farmers and supporters.
Favourite backers were rewarded when Trust obliged in the senior trail, overtaking Denton Memory on the uphill finish, with No Go in third.
Delta Star repeated last week's senior maiden win, this time beating kennelmates Spring Moss and Springfield Lass.
Summer Delight continues her good form in the puppy trails, this time winning from Polly and Gold Finger.
George Telford and Linda Neale's Eagle Gill was the convincing winner of her second veteran trail this week from Castle Brae and Castle Thorn.

Monday, May 5, Eskrigg

Seniors: 1, Trust; 2, Denton Memory; 3, No Go; 4, Puzzle; 5, Freedom; 6, Delta Dancer. 7 ran, time 27:12.
Senior Maidens: 1, Delta Star; 2, Spring Moss; 3, Springfield Lass; 4, Mr Ed; 5, Blaze; 6, Molly. 6 ran, time 29:29.
Pups: 1, Summer Delight; 2, Polly; 3, Gold Finger; 4, Gold Dust. Only four finished 8 ran, time 22:55.
Veterans: 1, Eagle Gill; 2, Castle Brae; 3, Castle Thorn. 3 ran, time 19:26.

HTA Results

Wednesday, April 30
St Helena
SENIORS: 1 Calzaghe; 2 Magenta; 3 Kinniside Dawn; 4 Hot Fuss; 5 Lady Ryan's; 6 Foxparke Warrior. 18 ran; time, 28.02.
PUPPIES: 1 Bluebird; 2 Touch of Class; 3 Ryan's Girl; 4 Alles Springs; 5 Foxparke Lady Jean; 6 Miss Lulu. 14 ran; time, 17.36.
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 Westend Bond; 2 Owtlook; 3 Miss Dido; 4 Valdor; 5 Butterfly; 6 Miterdale Oak. 23 ran; time, 18.34.

Thursday, May 1
Kendal
SENIORS: 1 Ms Dynamite; 2 Langdale Trooper; 3 Gigolo; 4 One Man; 5 Extra Hot; 6 Dairy Singer. 18 ran; time, 28.22.
PUPPIES: 1 Habana; 2 Claymore; 3 Macy Grey; 4 Tarantino; 5 Gentle Lady; 6 Huntsman's Dazzler. 21 ran; time, 17.50.
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 Seven Up; 2 Jordan's Miracle; 3 Huntsman's Ruler; 4 Seven Four Seven; 5 Huntsman's Charm; 6 Red Dawn. 31 ran; time, 17.44.
ALL-IN: 1 Huntsman's Chance; 2 Bethan's Rascal; 3 April Lady; 4 Cannavaro; 5 Sycamore; 6 Jordan's Deal. 15 ran; time, 18.20.

Oulton
SENIORS: 1 Westgate Kyza; 2 Some Girl; 3 Reno; 4 Show Girl; 5 Silent Star; 6 Westgate Ruby. 21 ran; time, 28.17.
PUPPIES: 1= The Penny Arcade and Westgate Lark; 3 Wisla; 4 Toffee Supreme; 5 Cracking That; 6 Ringo Kid. 28 ran; time, 18.17.
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 Toffee Man; 2 Regularity; 3 Mambo; 4 Pursuit; 5 Bellgate; 6 Birkby Magic. 21 ran; time, 17.52.

Saturday, May 3
Lamplugh
SENIORS: 1 Brookdale; 2 Lady Ryan's; 3 Hot Fuss; 4 Jimmy Quick; 5 Lambrini; 6 Sky Lady. 12 ran; time, 28.28.
PUPPIES: 1 Tell Tale; 2 Devon Lass; 3 Ellie Vee; 4 Newtown Clover; 5 Ryan's Girl; 6 Touch of Class. 18 ran; time, 19.53.
OPEN MAIDENS: 1 Farmer; 2 Maddison; 3 Foxparke Lady Jean; 4 Mill Yard; 5 Georgie's Girl; 6 Miterdale. 39 ran; time, 18.42.
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 Diplomatic; 2 Miss Molly; 3 Whitby Steps; 4 Linsdale; 5 Westend Bond; 6 Owtlook. 17 ran; time, 18.18.

Gamelsby
SENIORS: 1 Alfresco; 2 Silent Star; 3 Warlord; 4 Bellgate; 5 Rhinestone Cowboy; 6 Cracking Thore. 11 ran; time, 26.30.
PUPPIES: 1 Wisla; 2 Miss Lulu; 3 Cracking That; 4 Ocean Ruler; 5 Lingbeck Shadow; 6 D.J. 10 ran; time, 18.27.
OPEN MAIDENS: 1 Reno; 2 Valley Mist; 3 Mambo; 4 A Lot of Spots; 5 Gendarme; 6 Splendid. 12 ran; time, 16.29.

Monday, May 5
Lazonby Fell
SENIORS: 1 Ms Dynamite; 2 One Man; 3 Mayfair; 4 Clayton; 5 Superseven; 6 Boreas. 23 ran; time, 28.09.
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 Maddison. 37 ran; time, 28.30.
7 - 10: Paradox; Splendid Star; Kelly-Mac; Howgill Anna.
PUPPIES: 1 Habana; 2 Claymore; 3 Macy Grey; 4 Della; 5 Aira Force; 6 Newtown Clover. 18 ran; time, 17.35.
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.
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.
7 - 10: Sycamore; Millbeck; Team Spirit; The Real Bandit.

Tuesday, May 6
Oulton
SENIORS: 1 Westgate Kyza; 2 Some Girl; 3 Show Girl; 4 Rhinestone Cowboy; 5 Dairy One; 6 Silent Star. 12 ran; time, 28.26.
PUPPIES: 1 Westgate Lark; 2 Bluebird; 3 Westgate Ranter; 4 Wisla; 5 Touched; 6 Cracking That. 15 ran; time, 18.48.
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 Toffee Man; 2 Pursuit; 3 Gendarme; 4 Birkby Magic; 5 Rosa Dora; 6 Rockaway. 14 ran; time, 18.04.

HTA Fixtures

CHAMPIONSHIP TRAILS

May
Thurs 8 Lazonby Fell H, P, OR (6.30)
Sat 10 Kendal H, P, OR, V (2.00)
Gamelsby H, P, OR (5.30)
Lamplugh P, OM, OR, H (1.00)
Sun 11 Lazonby Fell H, P, ONW, OR (2.00)
Mon 12 Kirkland Leaps H, P, OR (6.30)
Tues 13 Lazonby Fell H, P, OM (6.30)
Dean H, M, P, PM (6.00)
Cartmel H, P, OR (6.15)
Wed 14 Kirkland Leaps H, P, OR (6.30)
Thurs 15 Kendal H, P, OM, AI (6.00)
Dean H, M, P, PM (6.00)
Sat 17 Gamelsby H, P, OR (5.30)
Cartmel H, P, OR, V (1.30)
Frizington H, P, ONW (11.30)
Mon 19 Rusland H, P, ONW, OR (6.15)
Crag Farm H, P, OR (6.30)
Tues 20 Oulton H, P, OM (6.30)
Wed 21 Rusland H, P, OM, AI (6.15)
Crag Farm H, P, OR (6.30)
Thurs 22 Bridekirk
Fri 23 Sawrey H, P, OR (6.30)
Sat 24 Gamelsby H, P, OM (5.30)
Steel Brow
Sun 25 Lazonby Fell H, P, OM, OR (2.00)
Mon 26 Bridekirk
Kirkland Leaps H, P, OR (6.30)
Tues 27 Sawrey H, P, OM (6.30)
Wed 28 Steel Brow
Thurs 29 Oulton
Sat 31 Arlecdon Church
Gaisgill
June
Sun 1 Oulton H, P, OR (2.30)
Mon 2 Kirkstone
Arlecdon Church
Wed 4 Moor Farm
Arlecdon Church
Sat 7 Buttermere
Arlecdon Church
Mon 9 Crag Farm
Tues 10 Bridekirk
Staveley Head
Wed 11 St Helena
Sat 14 Dog Produce, Gaisgill