By John Walsh

Last updated 09:44, Friday, 18 July 2008

THE Cock How Festival may have had to be moved to Cold Fell but there’s little doubt now that it is firmly established in the hound trailing calendar.

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On song: Arthur and Irene Temple, with grandson Karl, with their two winners, Dairy One & Dairy Song

Saturday’s renewal proved to be a wonderful day out for hound trailing enthusiasts and emphasised all that is good about the sport.

Blessed with perfect weather and good visibility, there was plenty to enjoy about the surroundings but it was the hounds most had come to see – and they didn’t disappoint.

With seven trails to get through, the action started early and, well before lunch-time, the 64 open restricted were sent on their way.

Plenty were seen to be in with a chance going through but the eventual winner was certainly not in the leading group.

However, when they got to the business end, it was Westgate Ripple who was dominating affairs and went on to win with a fair bit in hand, some 30 yards ahead of Centenary.

It’s always good to see newcomers to the sport having their moment in the spotlight and that was the case in the non-winners.

Ben’s Girl came with a big lead in the open non-winners and won by 100 yards for first-year members Shirley Simpson, Ken Holmes and family, who got the biggest cheer of the day at the presentation. She was not completely friendless in the market either, with one or two decent bets landed.

Incidentally, Ben’s Girl had started her racing as Les Tyson’s Ladysmith.

Third on the card were the veterans, where Sandy Bay finished well to beat Nikki by 15 yards, and these were clear of the rest. Dairy Dancer had been heavily backed as if defeat was a naughty word but the former champion didn’t figure at the business end, beaten back in seventh place.

The blue riband event was the senior trail in which Molly Malone came down the hill just in front, but Dairy One came out of the dip ahead and won comfortably in the end.

Dairy One is in great trim at the moment, with the International title already tucked away and he must be in contention for the senior title again.

The maidens produced a dead heat between Waltzing Matilda and Top Man and these two were a few yards clear of the rest. Top Man had looked to be winning the race for the line but Waltzing Matilda produced a great battle and the pair could not be separated.

Billie Jean isn’t seen often but, when she does run, is always very sharp and, in the pups, she showed in front of the Bitch Produce winner Negress and went on to win by 15 yards.

Dairy Song and Cinnabar were very close coming on the finish of the puppy maidens, but the Holmrook hound just did it on the line to complete another big meeting double for Arthur and Irene Temple.

It was a gripping finale to a thoroughly good day’s sport and a credit to the organisers who put so much into their efforts.

Glenis Farren, treasurer of the Whitehaven Area, summed it all up perfectly when she said: “The Festival was one of the best days trailing I have seen. Everything fell into place and it must have been the organisers’ dream.

“The venue of course is one of the best in the HTA; the weather was dry and not to warm for the dogs, yet not cold for spectators, visibility was superb and every trail went well.

“The ladies put on sporting events for the children who attended and all had a great time receiving medals and lots of sweets and plenty of laughter for the spectators. Well done to all involved.”

Glenis has also asked me to remind everyone that the bingo at the Wath Brow Legion will be on Sunday and then again the following Sunday (July 27). The previous bingo raised £1,000 for the Festival and £500 for the Cash for Points.

HTA secretary Margaret Baxter has asked me to congratulate the following for correct answers to the Annual Quiz; Kate Airey, Len Birkett, Pat Black, Paul Creighton and Wendy Dawson. The winner will be drawn from the hat.

We start our look back last Tuesday at Kirkstone where Dairy One had indicated he was looking good for the Festival with an opening race win in the seniors, although Halloween had got to within a length of the favourite at the last wall.

The pups was an interesting a race as there has ever been this season, Tarantino and table leader Habana was turned over in the junior trail after showing in front dropping off the fell.

Dairy Sound kept in close proximity and took up the running after crossing the final wall before going away to win well.

In the open non winners, Jim Dandy and Macy Grey showed well clear of the rest and again the race was sorted out after the final wall. The favourite, Macy Grey, showed the better turn of foot and came away to take the honours.

They were also at Seaton on Tuesday with four trails but, disappointingly, only 30 runners.

Only five contested the pups and just two finished with Cracking That boosting her title prospects with a win over Newtown Clover.

That completed a double for Bill Mellon and Co as Cracking Thore had already beaten Alfresco in the seniors which attracted the biggest entry of the night (11).

Lingbeck Shadow was a popular local winner of the open non-winners and, in the veterans, Sandy Bay warmed up for the Festival with a positive performance which earned her the red card.

On Wednesday, they raced at Lamplugh and the reigning champion Westgate Kyza led all the way on the finish to eventually take the honours by ten lengths from Jimmy Quick.

Tell Tale was a comfortable winner of the puppy trail some 50 yards clear of nearest rival Westgate Lark.

Lone Star seemed home and hosed in the open restricted but, in a late surge, The Real Bandit got up close home to win by a length.

When they went back to Seaton on Thursday, two of Tuesday’s winners had to settle for runners-up spot – Cracking Thore, beaten by Rhinestone Cowboy in the seniors, and Lingbeck Shadow, losing out to Jasper in the open maidens.

Cracking That was the exception winning the pups, and this time there were six rivals to beat. She got there ahead of Ted Baker and Bon Jovi.

They were back at Cold Fell on Monday and Dairy One followed-up by taking the senior trail, this time from Lambrini by 15 lengths.

But conditions were completely different from Saturday with the fog making life difficult for trailers, runners and punters and it was good to hear that everything was in by the end of the meeting.

Negress got back to winning ways with no Billie Jean to contend with and she took the puppy trail by ten lengths from Dairy Sound.

The open maidens went to Velvet, who had eight lengths to spare on Sunlight while Lone Star was pipped again in the open restricted. As at Lamplugh last week, he looked to have the race in safe keeping but this time River Storm got up close to the line to win by a length.

Border HTA results

Tuesday, July 8, Walton

Seniors: 1, Silver Birch; 2, Puzzle; 3, Marshman; 4, Newman; 5, Denton Memory; 6, Molly. 11 ran, time 22:17.

Senior Graded: 1, Eagle Gill; 2, Freedom; 3, Fire Glory; 4, Sparkling Pearl; 5, Springfield Lass; 6, Major. 17 ran time, 22:42.

Pups: 1, Farm Time; 2, Summer Venture; 3, Summer Delight; 4, Gold Finger; 5, Polly; 6, Headline. 7 ran, time 14:24.

Graded Pups: 1, Denton Friendship; 2, Farm Watch; 3, Cheeky Girl; 4, Gold Dust; 5, Spring Raider; 6, Templer. 6 ran, time 14:48.

Thursday, July 10, Thirwall Castle

Seniors: 1, Silver Birch; 2, Houxty Beck; 3, Jack Flash; 4, Trust; 5, Lakeland Mist; 6, Castle Thorn. 8 ran, time 26:26.

Senior Graded: 1, Freedom; 2, Fire Glory; 3, Mr Ed; 4, Puzzle; 5, Castle Tarras; 6, Amber Salsa. 20 ran, time 26:28.

Pups: 1, Summer Venture; 2, Summer Delight; 3, Gold Finger; 4, Farm Time; 5, Polly; 6, Headline. 7 ran, time 18:33.

Puppy Graded; 1, Spring Raider; 2, Farm Watch; 3, Castle Corrie; 4, Templer; 5, Denton Friendship; 6, Gold Dust. 7 ran, time 19:33.

Saturday, July 12, Crindledykes

Seniors: 1, Silver Birch; 2, Trust; 3, Blithe Spirit; 3, Lakeland Mist; 5, Marshman; 6, Castle Tarras. 7 ran, time 25:33.

Senior Graded: 1, Freedom; 2, Skylark; 3, Fire Glory; 4, Puzzle; 5, Mandesha; 6, Amber Salsa. 14 ran, time 24:50.

Pups: 1, Summer Delight; 2, Summer Venture; 3, Farm Time; 4, Headline; 5, Fire Ranger; 6, Cheeky Girl. 7 ran, time 16:24.

Puppy Graded: 1, Jackpot; 2, Templer: 3, Houxty Bank; 4, Farm Watch; 5, Spring Raider; 6, Castle Corrie. 6 ran, time 16:39.

Veterans: 1, Azinger; 2, Castle Thorn; 3, Molly; 4, Eagle Gill; 5, Legend; 6, Amber Shamara. 8 ran 15:45.

HTA RESULTS

Wednesday, July 9
Lamplugh
SENIORS: 1 Westgate Kyza; 2 Jimmy Quick; 3 Linsdale; 4 Lofty; 5 Alliance; 6 Lambrini. 18 ran; time, 26.53.
PUPPIES: 1 Tell Tale; 2 Westgate Lark; 3 Roulette; 4 Alles Springs; 5 Fugitive; 6 Foxparke Ringo. 27 ran; time, 17.23.
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 The Real Bandit; 2 Lone Star; 3 Whitby Steps; 4 Highwayman; 5 Gwiazda; 6 Just Jake. 30 ran; time, 17.20.

Thursday, July 10
Seaton
SENIORS: 1 Rhinestone Cowboy; 2 Cracking Thore; 3 Glen Coe; 4 Lingbeck Ice; 5 Magic Bay; 6 Quiet Pearl. 6 ran; time, 30.17.
PUPPIES: 1 Cracking That; 2 Ted Baker; 3 Bon Jovi; 4 Newtown Clover; 5 Lyndhurst Express; 6 Hunter's Lad. 7 ran; time, 18.50.
OPEN MAIDENS: 1 Jasper; 2 Lingbeck Shadow; 3 Shane; 4 Congressman; 5 Sara's Gift; 6 Rockwell. 9 ran; time, 18.42.

Saturday, July 12
Cold Fell Festival
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 Westgate Ripple; 2 Centenary; 3 Shifter; 4 Linsdale; 5 Warlord; 6 Momento. 64 ran; time, 19.53.
7th-10th : Huntsman's Chance; River Storm; Domino; Sophisticated Narnia.
OPEN NON-WINNERS: 1 Ben's Girl; 2 Butterfly; 3 Crystal; 4 Westgate Ranter; 5 Amy Jo; 6 Wayward Lad. 35 ran; time, 21.10.
7th-10th: Ocean Ruler; Denial; Deep Sensation; Bushie.
VETERANS: 1 Sandy Bay; 2 Nikki; 3 Clarity; 4 Trye Colours; 5 Bretton; 5 Outrageous. 20 ran; time, 20.56.
7th-10th: Dairy Dancer; High Command; Billy; Jet Storm.
SENIORS: 1 Dairy One; 2 Molly Malone; 3 Dairy Singer; 4 Westgate Kyza; 6 Mayfair. 39 ran; time, 31.29.
7th-10th : Alliance; Sensation; Halloween; Clayton.
MAIDENS: 1= Waltzing Matilda and Top Man; 3 Spot On; 4 Sherlock; 5 Highwayman; 6 Gendarme. 42 ran; time, 33.13.
7th-10th: Brad the Lad; Merry Legs; Davina; Buffalo Bill.
PUPPIES: 1 Billie Jean; 2 Negress; 3 Huntsman's Dazzler; 4 Courtesy; 5 Dairy Sound; 6 Alles Springs. 27 ran; time, 19.33.
7th-10th: Habana; Della; Westgate Lark; Miss Lulu.
PUPPY MAIDENS: 1 Dairy Song; 2 Cinnabar; 3 Stardust; 4 Velvet; 5 Lingbeck Shadow; 6 Fell Dancer. 30 ran; time, 20.10.
7th-10th : Ringo Kid; Gentle Lady; Cotton Eye Joe; Ted Baker.

Monday, July 14
Cold Fell
SENIORS: 1 Dairy One; 2 Lambrini; 3 Shifter; 4 Bonny Lass; 5 Top Man; 6 Sensation. 25 ran; time, 30.27.
PUPPIES: 1 Negress; 2 Dairy Sound; 3 Courtesy; 4 Dairy Song; 5 Newtown Clover; 6 Cinnabar. 16 ran; time, 19.12.
OPEN MAIDENS: 1 Velvet; 2 Sunlight; 3 Woodbank Howe; 4 Clarity; 5 Roulette; 6 Butterfly. 39 ran; time, 20.08.
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 River Storm; 2 Lone Star; 3 Pinfold Charm; 4 Magwa; 5 Westend Bond; 6 Truthful. 13 ran; time, 20.00.

Tuesday, July 15
Helton
SENIORS: 1 Lofty; 2 Halloween; 3 Dixie Moon; 4 Huntsman's Chance; 5 Clayton; 6 Alfresco. 17 ran; time, 31.20.
MAIDENS: 1 Davina; 2 Sherlock; 3 Sparkle; 4 Ben's Girl; 5 Eden River; 6 Eden Russet. 18 ran; time, 33.07.
PUPPIES: 1 Billie Jean; 2 Huntsman's Dazzler; 3 Habana; 4 Beyonce; 5 Razzmatazz; 6 Fell Dancer. 20 ran; time, 17.34.
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 Chinatown; 2 Mattie Brown; 3 Superseven; 4 Martaura; 5 Huntsman's Charm; 6 Eden Rusty. 27 ran; time, 17.17.

Oulton
SENIORS: 1 Show Girl; 2 Some Girl; 3 Westgate Kyza; 4 Westgate Ripple; 5 Mambo; 6 Tic Tac. 22 ran; time, 30.08.
PUPPIES: 1 Ted Baker; 2 Darling; 3 Hunter's Lad; 4 Cracking That; 5 Westgate Lark; 6 The Penny Arcade. 16 ran; time, 18.56.
OPEN MAIDENS: 1 Sara's Gift; 2 Waltzing Matilda; 3 High Patrol; 4 Shane; 5 A Lot of Spots; 6 Lingbeck Shadow. 18 ran; time, 19.21.

HTA FIXTURES

CHAMPIONSHIP TRAILS


Thurs 17 Latrigg Top H, P, OR, V (6.15)
Sat 19 Wath Brow H, P, OM, OR (2.00)
Mirkholme, Bassenthwaite H, P, ONW, V (1.00)
Gamelsby H, P, OR (6.30)
Sun 20 Shap H, M, P, PM, OR (1.30)
Mon 21 Cold Fell H, P, OR (6.30)
Tues 22 Oulton H, P, OR (6.30)
Wed 23 Cold Fell H, P, OR (6.30)
Thurs 24 Millstone Moor H, P, OR (6.15)
Kirkstone H, P, OM (6.30)
Sat 26 Askam H, P, ONW, OR, V (4.00)
St Helena H, P, ONW, OR (11.00)
Lorton Show H, M, P, PM (2.30)
Sun 27 Shap H, M, P, PM, OR (1.30)
Mon 28 Steel Brow H, P, OR (6.30)
Tues 29 Sandale H, P, OM (6.30)
Wed 30 Cold Fell H, P, OM, OR (6.00)
Thurs 31 Ambleside Sports H, M, P, PM, OG (1.45)
Dean H, P, OR (6.45)
August
Sat 2 Bridekirk H, M, P, PM, V (2.30)
Colton H, OM, P, OR (4.00)
St Helena H, P, OM, OR (2.00)
Sun 3 Calebreak
Mon 4 Kentmere
Arlecdon
Tues 5 Parsonby
Wed 6 Cold Fell H, P, OM, OR (6.00)
Cartmel Show H, P, OR (2.00)
Thurs 7 Ings
Dean H, P, OM (6.15)
Sat 9 HTA Premier, Snow Hill
Mon 11 Wasdale Head
Parsonby
Colton H, P, OR (6.00)
Tues 12 Buttermere
Wed 13 Steel Brow
Thurs 14 Rydal
Parsonby
Sat 16 Rusland Show H, P, OM, OR (1.30)
Dean
Steel Brow
Sun 17 Mirkholme
Mon 18 Arlecdon
Tues 19 Buttermere
Hawkshead Show
Wed 20 Steel Brow
Thurs 21 Kentmere
Wythop
Sat 23 Patterdale
Oulton
Frizington
Sun 24 Grasmere Sports
Mon 25 Whitehaven Classic, Salter