by John Walsh

Published at 11:12, Thursday, 21 June 2012

CONDITIONS were atrocious on Saturday for the Jubilee trails at Staveley Head and if medals were handed out they would go to hounds, trailers and supporters alike.

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It was a tremendous effort by everyone involved to get through the programme and although there were some missing hounds, all were eventually accounted for.

In the seniors Colleen was clear jumping the final obstacle and she drove on to win very easily from Minerva and Velvet. Momentum finished fouirth and this quarter had a good five minutes on the other 16 as the straggled home.

Courtesy led over the wall in the maidens and had enough lead over Jenny’s Supreme to go on to the line and win the race with Ivy Crag in third.

Recent Produce winner Huntsman’s Hope followed-up with a very easy win in the puppy trail, finishing on his own. Jenny’s Rascal and the favourite Capetown eventually took second and third.

Full House showed great resolve in the open non winners, going on to win well after coming over the final wall with just a narrow advantage. Janet and Wreckless Wren were second and third.

There was a good finish to the open restricted in which a few were in with a chance coming over the final wall and it was Quiet Siskin who showed most commitment, holding off a strong challenge from Momento and Eden Roberta.

We start our look back at Tuesday’s meeting at Dean where Dairy Diamond collected her seventh championship win of the season in the opening senior trail. White Diamond had cut out the pace but the title hopeful loomed-up and went ahead on the finish to drive on for the win.

White Diamond finished second of the 14 runners with Silver Spangle in third place.

Endeavour scored his first championship win in the pups, although he needed a couple of errors from the two in front. Race favourite and table leader Chicharito made a mess of the final fence and Acacia showed some hesitancy on the run-in. In the end Endeavour beat Acadia by a length.

The pup Keystone put up a good effort in the open restricted, finishing third. Hunter’s Rose had a couple of lengths on Snow Peak and Keystone was in close attendance.

Only eight seniors contested the opening senior trail at Crag Farm on Wednesday and Fallen Spring added to his growing reputation with a tidy win from Cinnabar and Sweet Pea. It puts the west Cumbrian hound very much in touch with senior table leader Dairy Diamond.

Baroness is also with the leading group in the puppy table and registered her sixth win when she beat Valiant and Wistlo Spring in the junior trail.

Tinker was successful in the open restricted, beating Newtown Ghost and Black Poppy in a field of 20.

There was a well-supported meeting at Coniston Tops on Thursday, and some very competitive racing. In the seniors Colleen continued in great form when beating fast-finishing Langdale Jack by a yard, with Della a good third.

The successful Stanley and Carole Jackson kennel won the Dick Thompson Memorial Trophy for the efforts of their bitch.

Five pups chose the right route climbing up the fell, leaving the rest some way adrift. In a good finish Capetown had ten lengths to spare over Believe, followed in by Shameless, Mayhem and Cherish. Jenny’s Rascal led in the chasing group.

This was an eighth win for Capetown, and there was further success for Alan and Yvonne’s kennel when Toytown had no difficulty in relegating Halloween to second place in the veteran trail. This double followed hard on the heels of Goosewell three days previously, and provided a much-needed boost for Yvonne, who is still poorly in hospital.

As a result of that double Alan went away with the Robert Oldcorn Memorial Trophy and the John Thompson Memorial Shield.

In-form Jordan’s Tyke beat Mika to take the open restricted trail, and they were nicely clear of Border River and the rest. Jordan’s Tyke has used up his ration in open restricted class, and will now have to take on the seniors in open competition.

It was good to see some visitors at Coniston, notably Mr and Mrs Purfield and Geoff “sticks” and his wife. Both couples visit the trails when on holiday every year, and they were very appreciative of the friendly welcome and the good directions.

Thursday’s other meeting was at Oulton where Hello Dolly, who ran so well in her puppy championship season, kept on the heels of Dairy Diamond by registering her seventh senior victory from fellow title challenger Artisan. High Challenge was third.

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Puppy leader Chicharito was out of luck again in the junior trail and could only manage second behind Acacia one of a group of hounds chasing hard for the tile. Eden Rose took third.

The open maidens result is subject to confirmation but ended with Crusader beating Hey Jude with Meadow Kim in third.

There had been some doubt about the Wath Brow trails but they started on Monday with a smashing turn-out of thirty for the pups.

Improving Out of the Blue, Huntsman’s Hero and title challenger Capetown were all bested by Sental in the junior trail while course specialist Valhalla opening-up by winning the seniors from Colleen.

Black Poppy is another who likes the terrain but she had to settle for second behind Random Star in the open restricted with Sunlight in third.

The Team Competition has reached week 12, and the current placings are as follows:

Div. I - 88 Jenny’s Troubles, 73 All the Judys, 61 Flyin’ Banshees, 59 Shauna’s Sugababes, 55 Adam’s Army and Hunter’s Thorns.

Div. II - 51 Shauna’s Sugababes, 36 Hunter’s Thorns, 33 Jenny’s Troubles, 28 Katy’s Krackers, 27 Eden Rascals, 24 All the Judys.

The Top Tipsters at the moment are: 34 Dean and Lucy, 31 Jane Laidler and John Loan, 29 James Oldcorn, 28 Carole/Christine/Lynn, 26 Mark Bryden and Ann Bell.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk