By John Walsh

Last updated 02:49, Wednesday, 19 March 2008

THE first Boonwood trail a week gone Monday had to be called-off because of a blizzard and although conditions were better, it was still not good for the second attempt on Wednesday.

That was reflected in a rather disappointing turn-out with just 18 runners, seven of them in the pups.

Sean Pirie’s Celtic Warrior (Some Man x Amy Lee) did well, coming clear of Reuben (Dairy One x Dairy Two) with the winner’s sister Amy Jo in third place.

In the senior trail, Dairy Singer came in 10 yards clear of Miss Molly with Molly Malone in third.

On Thursday at Moota, it was another good meeting for Calzaghe who shows he still retains his enthusiasm for racing, and is proving adept at siring promising youngsters.

In a big field of 35 seniors it was Calzaghe who led them over the line with Cruiseaway and Silent Star nearest.

One of Calzaghe/Silent Star’s offspring Amber figured again in the puppy trail which was contested by 23 youngsters. But she was only third this time behind two more Calzaghe pups – Maisie and White Diamond, which were both out of Toffee Girl.

The all-in trail was contested by 28 runners and Maurice Bewley and grand-daughter Hannah were well pleased as Duet beat Alfresco in a good battle. Duet had won the longer trail in the first week.

On Saturday at Low Place, there was a one-two in the puppy trail for Nick and Trish Wilson of Troutbeck who appear to have a couple of well-forward youngsters in Habana and Negress.

They went up the fell like rockets and were nicely clear at the finish, although just half a length between them and the opposite way round to last time.

The two are out of Banshee by River Tyne and look as though they will figure prominently in the early weeks.

The kennel missed a double, however, as Howe Bess was beaten a few yards by Molly Malone in the senior trail.

Molly Malone is another worth keeping an eye on early doors as she also looks to be well forward and in good trim.

Plumpton had a good turn-out of hounds on Sunday and in the pups, five showed together on the finish.

It was David Clifford's Eden Reward (Eden Rusty/Eden Ray) who just kept his narrow advantage and held off the challenge of Stardust by a head.

In the senior trail, the first three were close at the line, victory going to reigning champion Westgate Kyza, just ahead of Ms Dynamite and last week's winner Martaura, who were well ahead of Dusty Hare.

Unfortunately the promised All-In could not be held because it had been omitted from the Fixture List, but there will definitely be an All-In this coming Sunday.

There was a big turn-out at Kirkbride with 30 runners in each of the two trails.

They were actually completed in identical times – Step On (Westgate Ruler x Summer Flight) winning the pups and Regularity taking the pups.

Also on Sunday, Carol and Stanley Jackson made the journey south to Coniston and landed a double in the puppy and senior trails.

Ever improving Courtsey took the spoils from Hilly’s Spark and these two were clear of third-placed Della. The time was 13.23. Courtsey is out of Midnight Express by Jimmy Ringo.

Last week’s senior winner Centenary narrowly beat Huntsman’s Chance with Huntsman’s Charm in third from a field of 25. The winning time was 12.59.

They were at Steel Brow on Monday when The Penny Arcade just beat a couple of Foxparke’s Lady Ellie and Lady Jean – despite the youngsters swerving to the left as they came towards the finish.

The Penny Arcade is bred the same way as the third – Foxparke Lady Jean by Some Man – while runner-up Foxparke Lady Ellie is another Calzaghe pup, out of New Deal.

In the seniors, Warlord beat Sensation by half a length after the pair of them had pulled well clear of Jealousy.

There’s a final reminder that entries for the Top Tipster and the Team Competition must reach the secretary by Friday, March 21. Telephone entries will be accepted (017684 83686), but the £5 entry fees must be received within a week.

The Ulverston Area Committee are asking for help scouting the roads for Askam trails. If you could be available for this vital job at any of their trails, please ring Jayne Petersen on 01229 466173.

The BHTA 2008 season got underway at Lodge Gill, Langholm on a blustery afternoon.

Ian and Barbara Telford’s Trust started her first senior campaign with a win, ahead of Marshman and Castle Thorn.

Delta Dancer held on to win the senior maidens from Fire Glory and Skylark.

Willie and Alice Telford’s HTA bred youngster Fire Ranger (Lofty/April Lady) took the honours in the first puppy trail from Polly (Denton Memory/Cleo) and Jackpot (Topsy/Nikki).

Seniors: 1, Marshman; 2, Denton Memory; 3, Castle Thorn; 4, Freedom; 5, Lakeland Echo; 6, Delta Dancer. 18 ran, time: 23:48.Seniors: 1, Trust; 2, Denton Memory; 3, Marshman; 4, Freedom; 5, Puzzle; 6, Major. 14 ran, time 23:56.

Spring Midget (Westgate Ruler/Mary Ellen) beat her brother Gold Dust and Houxty Bank (Some Man/Liam’s Lady) in the puppy maidens.

Senior Maidens: 1, Fire Glory; 2, Blaze; 3, Blythe Spirit; 4, Spring Moss; 5, Azinger; 6, Castle Tarras. 19 ran, time 24:48.

Pups: 1, Fire Ranger (Lofty/April Lady); 2, Summer Delight (Westgate Ruler/Summer Flight); 3, Summer Venture (Westgate Ruler/Summer Flight); 4, Polly (Denton Memory/Cleo); 5, Spring Midget (Westgate Ruler/Mary Ellen); 6, Farm Watch (Some Man/Encourage). 10 ran

Puppy Maidens: 1, Farm Time (Denton Memory/Cleo); 2, Templer (Westgate Ruler/Mary Ellen); 3, Delta Lady (Calzaghe/Silent Star); 4, Cheeky Girl (Dairy One/Dairy Two); 5, Head Line (Lofty/April Lady); 6, Castle Corrie (Calzaghe/Toffee Girl). 10 ran.

Senior Graded: 1, Castle Tarras; 2, Fire Glory; 3, Blaze; 4, Sparkling Pearl; 5, Delta Dancer; 6, Springfield Lass. 17 ran, time 24:40.

Pups: 1, Summer Venture; 2, Fire Ranger; 3, Summer Delight; 4, Polly; 5, Farm Watch; 6, Jackpot. 9 ran, time 13:42.

Puppy Maidens: 1, Farm Time; 2, Templer; 3, Gold Finger; 4, Cheeky Girl; 5, Castle Corrie; 6, Head Line. 11 ran, time 14:00.