23rd July 2023

Ashorne Hill Farm, Warwickshire
Judges: Mark Bicknell & Laurie Winter
Slipper: George Sell

Photo Credit: Martin Abbott

Another fabulous, bumper meeting with 11 stakes made up of 60 whippets. It was our first visit to Ashorne, and I hope it won't be the last, the field was beautiful and undulating, with great scope for interesting and challenging courses. The weather was kind for the most part, overcast and windy in the morning and a sunny afternoon, with just a quick downpour at the end of the lunch break. A lone deer was rather surprised to find the field occupied when it skipped through in the morning, and probably a bit annoyed when we were still there when it tried again later. Luckily its visits didnt coincide with any dogs running.

Photo Credit: Elaine Jenkinson

We had a whopping 21 dogs trialling (plus our honorary whippet Lova), with many first-timers on the field. Congratulations to: Ardencote What A Rogue, Dapperdiva Double Whammy, Crosscop She's A Lady At Ardencote, Keep A Knocking of Ohoka, Winterfellins What The Heck, No Flux Given & Dash At Dawn all successfully passing clearing trials. We look forward to seeing you all in Competition soon!

Photo Credit: Lina H Lijeros

The first round was 600 yards, heading anti-clockwise from the gallery, up a slight incline into the corner of the field before turning down hill. The layout and landscape divided most pairs, with one dog frequently cutting the fist corner and running full pelt down the hill. This lead to a couple of dogs taking a tumble at the bottom, a few blowing their chances when they overshot the lure looping back round and coming back, which allowead following dogs to take charge, but for others that had sharp reactions, they were able to hold the advantage they gave themselves and take the win.

Photo Credit: Martin Abbott

The second round was the first round reversed, with some tinkering to the run-out and angles of a few turns. This provided a good challenge for stamina as that down hill gallop became an uphill sprint at the back end of the course.

Photo Credit: Martin Abbott

The finals course, was a shorter design with some clever kinks which looked magical ran with well matched pairs, shown best actually by a pair of Lolani boys, Cafe Amore & Ride A Wild Trail in their cons run.

We had 9 veterans competing, is that a record? I think it might be! The Ashorne Hill Stake gave Winterfellin Gotta Dash Avec Elstoto his 2nd win of the season, just shy of his 9th birthday, and saw the return to the field of Collooney Candy Crush who we haven't seen since 2019 and made runner-up.

Photo Credit: Lina H Lijeros

The Bishops Tachbrook Stake gave Wheatroyd Midnight Chimes her third win on the bounce. The Moreton Morrel stake was won by Moonlake My Way, an experienced lure courser at UKSS and abroad, but not SWC.

Photo Credit: Lina H Lijeros

Two stakes of 17.5-18.5” bitches, the Loxley Stakes final between litter sisters Veloxcanis Solis Victrix & V. S. Venatrix was comprehensively won by the latter. The Walton Stake gave Corfilgi Cariad her fist taste of competition, she gave a good performance but lost her heat to stake winner Coppermow Velar. It was

her third win of the season, but wasn't an easy one, Winterfellin Must Be Crafty back after a season's absence pushed her hard!

Photo Credit: Martin Abbott

Two stakes also for dogs 18.5-20”. In the Charlecote Stake Florancy Dark and Stormy achieved his first heat win. Coppermow Sika and Lolani Ride A Wild Trail both debuted, but the experience and maturity of their partners gave them the edge this time.

Photo Credit: Lina H Lijeros

The final was another littermate showdown between Harerunners Hasta La Vista & Hombre Estrella. The former took the wining flag this time, but with these brothers taking the top two spots in the league table, its going to be a battle right through to the final of Finals I reckon!

The Wellesbourne Stake welcomed Selinapearl Out Of The Blue in his first run in main competition. Ardencote Dating Destiny gave a very good account of himself and the strongest run I've seen him give. Star of the stake was Phareal No Questions Asked at Runphar, continuing the glory of his recent podium place at the World Coursing Championship in Sweden.

The first of our 4 Open stakes, the Chesterton mixed, Corfilgi Carw Coch finished his debut with a fine go-bye, but it wasn't enough this time. Lavebella Lizzies Lang reached his first final of the year being runner up to Harerunner Heavenly Mover with his first win.

Photo Credit: Martin Abbott

The Harbury mixed stake welcomed Abbeycorner Mansell to the field. Laguna Lockets Loved One in his third final of the season was runner up to Runphar Gemini Double Take, who cemented his place at the op of the Open league.

Photo Credit: Lina H Lijeros

The Sherbourne Stake went to Silverhare Fortis Saxon after Royaltudor Storm Diana was withdrawn from the final with a minor injury. Maccus Cirilla of Cintra had a lovely first competition and Penbriar Rocket Star her first heat win.

Photo Credit: Martin Abbott

The last of the stakes, the Lighthorne saw Laguna Lia's Lara announce her arrival to the competition, winning her heat in style. Sandspring Sea Mistress, another first-timer took runner-up to Ryemeadows Mable who celebrated her 3rd birthday with a win, keeping her hot on the heels of R Gemini Double Take in he league table.

Photo Credit: Martin Abbott

It was a fabulous, but long day and I'm already looking forward to doing it all again next month and hope you are too.

See you in Gloucestershire!

Sarah

Photo Credit: Lina H Lijeros