By John Walsh

Last updated 16:46, Thursday, 24 April 2008

ROY Laidler, the HTA chairman has given his backing to the Whitehaven Area committee and its chairman Tommy Newall.

Top dogs: The first six Open Non-winners at Helton on Sunday. From left to right, Congressman, Ted Baker, Tarantino, Wayward Lad, Kelly-Mac, April

By John Walsh
It follows the request last week for the removal of Mr Newall from the chair by farmer George Bradley, of Low Cock How, Kinniside.
He had previously banned hound trailing on land over which he has grazing rights.
Mr Laidler said: “I appreciate the work put in by George Bradley over the years for hound trailing but I am fully behind the Whitehaven Area committee and its chairman Tommy Newall.
“It is not possible within the Association’s rules to remove the two members, as originally requested by Mr Bradley, or the chairman Mr Newall, who were all democratically elected.”
If the ban stays, the Whitehaven HTA Committee hopes other farmers on Kinniside Common will give permission for a change of route so that the Cleator Moor trails go ahead in July along with Kinniside and Salter.
The trails at St Helena on Saturday and Monday were a great success, and the work that has gone into this venue since George Bradley stopped leave to the common is a credit to the promoters.
Farmer Tom O’Fee has done a lot of work improving access to the venue after the old dog trail had to be re-routed because of the ban on the common.
On Saturday, the four trails attracted 79 entries with 61 there for the resumption on Monday. Magenta was a clear winner of the senior trail on Saturday, beating Lady Ryan's by six lengths with Dignity back in third.
Bluebird continued her impressive run of form by winning the pup trail, beating the persistent challenger Devon Lass by three lengths in the end.
There were three in with a chance at the business end of the open maidens but eventually Southern Fun proved to have just enough in hand, beating Lone Star by a length with Newtown Ghost close-up in third.
The finish to the all-in trail was even closer as Owtlook just beat Miss Dido by a head and shoulders.
When they went back on Monday the finish to the seniors was desperately tight. The camera was consulted before Calzaghe was declared the winner.
Bluebird scored again in the pups, once more by three lengths, but this time the nearest challenger was Ryan's Girl. The most impressive winner of the night was Foxparke Lady Jean who took the open non winners trail by some 50 yards from Faithful.
There was a terrific finish to the senior trail at Kirkbride and in the end the camera couldn’t split Westgate Kyza and Some Girl.
They both took their turn at leading down the finish and it was Some Girl who came late to earn the dead-heat on the line. The puppy trail went to Cracking That who had 10 yards on Toffee Supreme.
Reno should have won the open maidens but was a reluctant finisher and allowed Lazonby winner Jordan's Deal to come past and win.
On Wednesday, they were at Bower House where Gigolo’s winning run came to an end. Lyndhurst Charm showed in the lead and despite the best efforts of Gigolo, he couldn’t make inroads and there was still two lengths between the pair at the line.
Bluebird looks a real threat to Habana’s position as table leader in the pups as she stormed home again, this time by 50 yards from Ryan's Girl and Harmony.
In the all-in trail, Owtlook had five lengths to spare at the tape from Millbeck with Black Poppy in third.
It must be a long time since a three-trail evening meeting attracted 199 entries, but that's what happened at Helton on Thursday. Unfortunately it was bitterly cold and very overcast, but by and large the rain held off.
The 47 seniors did a fast time, and there was a close finish, as One Man got home by just half a length ahead of Ms Dynamite, with Salsa close up in third.
The 66 pups were led in by table leader Habana, who was enjoying her sixth win of the season. She showed in front and won comfortably from Cracking That, with the other ticket hounds in line behind.
An enormous entry of 86 in the open restricted faced the starter, and at the end it was a camera job to sort out the first three before Cracking Mischief just got the verdict over Regularity and Huntsman's Chance.
At Grange-in-Borrowdale on Saturday night, the four trails produced some entertaining sport, starting with the seniors.
The 2006 champion Dairy One was sent off favourite and he came through the fell with Jack Flash, who had won at the previous meeting over the terrain.
The lead changed several times, but Dairy One came away in the last field to win by 20 yards, and these were well clear of the rest.
In the pups, Velvet led Claymore through the fell and down towards the road. However it was Claymore who finished the better and held on for a half-length first win.
Midnight Express was an impressive winner in the veteran trail by 30 yards after being well fancied by connections. She beat Manor Mist and both had the benefit of previous runs at Askam.
Clarity had also been well-supported but she could only finish back in sixth place.
The easiest winner of the evening was Huntsman's Chance in the open restricted.
Earlier in the day they had raced at Gamelsby where Silent Star profited in the senior trail by mistakes from Alfresco and Westgate Kyza.
There were only six pups and Amber beat White Diamond by 10 yards while, in the open non winners, A Lot of Spots came past Reno five yards from the line to win.
Lofty took the senior trail at Helton easily from Show Girl and previous winner One Man, while Sparrowmire Molly was the comfortable winner of the senior maiden trail.
In the pups, there was an easy first win for Billie Jean despite Habana, Cracking That and Negress being in the field. Toffee Supreme beat Habana to second.
Congressman took the open non winners by five yards, but it was very close for second and third. Ted Baker just got his head in front of Tarantino. Dolly Daydreams completed a good day for the punters when she beat Morgan’s Rascal.
At Threlkeld, Salsa won by a long way from Langdale Trooper while Westgate Lark came away from Claymore over the last wall in the pups.
It was very close for the first three in the open restricted, before Huntsman’s Charm just overtook kennel-mate Huntsman’s Chance, with Westend Bond very close in third. Sycamore overtook long-time leader Westgate Ruby on the line in the All-In with Eden Ruby in third.
At Gamelsby, Westgate Kyza finished well to win by three lengths.
Amber had a few yards to spare over Wisla in the pups while Glen Coe finished really well in the open restricted, coming away from his field to beat Bellgate by three lengths with Sara’s Gift in third.
A series of bingo sessions are being held in the Wath Brow Legion starting on Sunday and then again on successive Sundays – May 4 and 11 – all starting at 2.30.pm.
There was an error in an advert last week for the Kendal Hound Trailing committee for a meeting to be run at the Old Racecourse on May 1. The open restricted should have read £25 and not £20.

Wednesday, April 16, Burgh-by-Sands
Seniors: 1, Silver Birch; 2, Trust; 3, Mandesha; 4, Fire Glory; 5, Puzzle; 6, Marshman. 15 ran, time 23:52.
Senior Maidens: 1, No Go; 2, Delta Star; 3, On-Line; 4, Fire Dream; 5, Spring Moss; 6, Springfield Lass. 16 ran, time 24:38.
Pups: 1, Polly; 2, Summer Venture; 3, Gold Finger; 4, Summer Delight; 5, Jackpot; 6, Farm Time. 17 ran, time 13:01.

Saturday, April 19, Westwoodburn.

Seniors: 1, Trust; 2, Silver Birch; 3, Denton Memory; 4, Newman; 5, Mandesha; 6, Freedom. 15 ran, time 26:17.
Senior Maidens: 1, No Go; 2, Fire Dream; 3, Delta Star; 4, Molly; 5, Castle Tarras; 6, Blaze. 15 ran, time 27:22.
Pups: 1, Summer Venture; 2, Fire Ranger; 3, Summer Delight; 4, Farm Watch; 5, Jackpot; 6, Denton Friendship. 7 ran, time 13:42.
Puppy Maidens: 1, Gold Finger; 2, Cheeky Girl; 3, Spring Midget; 4, Templer; 5, Castle Corrie; 6, Stardom. 9 ran, time 15:26

HTA Results

Wednesday, April 16
Bower House
SENIORS: 1 Lyndhurst Charm; 2 Gigolo; 3 Miss Molly; 4 Sensation; 5 Kinniside Dawn; 6 Ivy Crag. 15 ran; time, 27.44.
PUPPIES: 1 Bluebird; 2 Ryan's Girl; 3 Harmony; 4 Bushie; 5 Bluebell Lady; 6 Night Shadow. 14 ran; time, 17.12.
ALL-IN: 1 Owtlook; 2 Millbeck; 3 Black Poppy; 4 Sky Lady; 5 Mr Jingles; 6 Mill Yard. 12 ran; time, 18.55.
Thursday, April 17
Helton
SENIORS: 1 One Man; 2 Ms Dynamite; 3 Salsa; 4 Calzaghe; 5 Sparrowmire Molly; 6 Truthful. 47 ran; time, 26.04.
PUPPIES: 1 Habana; 2 Cracking That; 3 Hilly's Spark; 4 Macy Grey; 5 Della; 6 Huntsman's Dazzler. 66 ran; time, 17.32.
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 Cracking Mischief; 2 Regularity; 3 Huntsman's Chance; 4 Eden Rusty; 5 Duet; 6 Westend Bond. 86 ran; time, 16.58.
Saturday, April 19
St Helena
SENIORS: 1 Magenta; 2 Lady Ryan's; 3 Dignity; 4 Kinniside Dawn; 5 Miss Molly; 6 Sophisticated Lady. 17 ran; time, 31.11.
PUPPIES: 1 Bluebird; 2 Devon Lass; 3 Foxparke Lady Jean; 4 Foxparke Lady Amanda; 5 Alles Springs; 6 Newtown Clover. 23 ran; time, 20.32.
OPEN MAIDENS: 1 Southern Fun; 2 Lone Star; 3 Newtown Ghost; 4 No Chance; 5 Miss Lulu; 6 Valdor. 23 ran; time, 20.38.
ALL-IN: 1 Owtlook; 2 Miss Dido; 3 Silver Stream; 4 Regularity; 5 Sophisticated Narnia; 6 Alliance. 16 ran; time, 20.16.

Grange-in-Borrowdale
SENIORS: 1 Dairy One; 2 Jack Flash; 3 Jimmy Quick; 4 Lyndhurst Charm; 5 Mayfair; 6 Deja Vu. 13 ran; time, 26.02.
PUPPIES: 1 Claymore; 2 Velvet; 3 Gentle Lady; 4 Huntsman's Dazzler; 5 Westgate Ranter; 6 The Penny Arcade. 16 ran; time, 16.12.
VETERANS: 1 Midnight Express; 2 Manor Mist; 3 Outrageous; 4 Dairy Dancer; 5 Westgate Ruler; 6 Clarity. 14 ran; time, 17.41.
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 Huntsman's Chance; 2 Momento; 3 Pinfold Charm; 4 Snowy Owl; 5 Pursuit; 6 Magwa. 13 ran; time, 16.25.

Gamelsby
SENIORS: 1 Silent Star; 2 Alfresco; 3 Westgate Kyza; 4 Warlord; 5 Uldale's Lad; 6 Busy Time. 17 ran; time, 27.68.
PUPPIES: 1 Amber; 2 White Diamond; 3 Wizla; 4 Ocean Ruler; 5 DJ; 6 Touched. 6 ran; time, 20.12.
OPEN NON-WINNERS: 1 A Lot of Spots; 2 Reno; 3 Rough Diamond; 4 Gendarme; 5 Mambo; 6 Busy Future. 8 ran; time, 16.49.

Sunday, April 20
Helton
SENIORS: 1 Lofty; 2 Show Girl; 3 One Man; 4 Some Girl; 5 Ms Dynamite; 6 Halloween. 23 ran; time, 27.50.
Maidens: 1 Sparrowmire Molly; 2 Persian Punch; 3 Jordan's Deal; 4 Top Man; 5 Huntsman's Charm; 6 High Patrol. 32 ran; time, 29.11.
PUPPIES: 1 Billie Jean; 2 Toffee Supreme; 3 Habana; 4 Cracking That; 5 Negress
OPEN NON-WINNERS: 1 Congressman; 2 Ted Baker; 3 Tarantino; 4 Wayward Lad; 5 Kelly-Mac; 6 April Rain. 32 ran; time, 17.30.
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 Dolly Daydreams; 2 Morgan's Rascal; 3 Arctic Summit; 4 Seven Four Seven; 5 Superseven; 6 Duet. 34 ran; time, 17.03.

Monday, April 21
St Helena
SENIORS: 1 Calzaghe; 2 Dignity; 3 Molly Malone; 4 Hot Fuss; 5 Kinniside Dawn; 6 Lady Ryan's. 23 ran; time, 29.11.
PUPPIES: 1 Bluebird; 2 Ryan's Girl; 3 Miss Lulu; 4 Ellie Vee; 5 Devon Lass; 6 Tiger Lily. 15 ran; time, 18.52.
OPEN NON-WINNERS: 1 Foxparke Lady Jean; 2 Faithful; 3 Bushie; 4 Gendarme; 5 Deep Sensation; 6 Newtown Ghost, 11 ran; time, 18.38.
ALL-IN: 1 Owtlook; 2 Miss Dido; 3 Armani; 4 Cameo; 5 Miterdale; 6 Billy Piper.
Tuesday, April 22
Threlkeld
SENIORS: 1 Salsa; 2 Langdale Trooper; 3 Ivy Crag; 4 Clayton; 5 Jack Flash; 6 Jimmy Quick. 16 ran; time, 28.03.
PUPPIES: 1 Westgate Lark; 2 Claymore; 3 Velvet; 4 Habana; 5 Westgate Ranter; 6 Jim Dandy. 27 ran; time, 17.18.
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 Huntsman's Charm; 2 Huntsman's Chance; 3 Westend Bond; 4 Pinfold Charm; 5 Lyndhurst; 6 Superseven. 22 ran; time, 16.21.
ALL-IN: 1 Sycamore; 2 Westgate Ruby; 3 Eden Rusty; 4 Midnight Express; 5 Momento

Gamelsby
SENIORS: 1 Westgate Kyza; 2 Rhinestone Cowboy; 3 Alfresco; 4 Cracking Thore; 5 Blueprint; 6 Silent Star. 12 ran, time 27.02
PUPPIES: 1 Amber; 2 Wisla; 3 White Diamond; 4 Rough Diamond; 5 Busy Future
OPEN RESTRICTED: 1 Glen Coe; 2 Bellgate; 3 Sara's Gift; 4 Valley Mist; 5 Busy Time; 6 Mambo. 15 ran; time, 16.51.

HTA Fixtures

CHAMPIONSHIP TRAILS

April
Thurs 24 Helton H, P, OR (6.00)
Sat 26 Cold Fell Gate H, P, OM, OR (1.00)
Threlkeld H, P, V, AI (5.30)
Sun 27 Gamelsby H, P, ONW (4.30)
Helton H, M, P, PM, OR (12.00)
Mon 28 St Helena H, P, OR (6.00)
Tues 29 Oulton H, P, OM (6.30)
Wed 30 St Helena H, P, OR (6.00)
May
Thurs 1 Oulton H, P, OR (6.30)
Kendal H, P, OR, AI (6.00)
Sat 3 Gamelsby H, P, OM (5.30)
Lamplugh P, OM, OR, H (1.00)
Mon 5 Lazonby Fell HTA H, M, P, PM, OR (1.30)
Tues 6 Oulton H, P, OR (6.30)
Wed 7 Lamplugh P, OM, H (6.00)
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
Tues 13 Lazonby Fell H, P, OM (6.30)
Dean H, M, P, PM (6.00)
Cartmel
Wed 14 Kirkland
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
Frizington
Mon 19 Rusland
Crag Farm
Tues 20 Oulton H, P, OM (6.30)
Wed 21 Rusland
Crag Farm
Thurs 22 Bridekirk
Fri 23 Sawrey
Sat 24 Gamelsby H, P, OM (5.30)
Steel Brow
Sun 25 Lazonby Fell H, P, OM, OR (2.00)
Mon 26 Bridekirk
Kirkland
Tues 27 Sawrey
Wed 28 Steel Brow
Thurs 29 Oulton
Sat 31 Arlecdon Church