Alan Wilkie’s Lyn works her magic at Hunterston
ALAN Wilkie’s 18-month-old Lyn won the day at Hunterston open trial with clean work far out and at hand, where the Blackface ewe lambs behaved very well on a flat course with no bogeys.
Lyn (J Allan’s Rob, A Dickman’s Meg (Kate)) ran out and lifted cleanly, and although her sheep weaved their way down the fetch, they went through the gate. The line of the drive wavered less, and a clean pen and shed completed the work in first place.
Michael Gallagher’s Hillrunner Shep (SL Davidson’s Dan, E Nilson’s Fergie) also started out cleanly, had some minor wavering on the fetch and drive, but a wee break before he penned successfully and shed cleanly, made Shep runner up, a point behind Lyn.
The Blackface ewes at Stranraer ran well on a rising hill that created a hollow on the incoming route before the ground rose up to the level.
Ian Brownlie’s Boyd ( N Gillon’s Sweep, IM Brownlie’s Lia) took a whistle on his outrun, but lifted cleanly and fetched well, his drive was good with just a wide turn through the cross drive gate against it. He finished the winning run with a clean pen, a decent shed that took time to come off and the competition hot on his heels, with three dogs vying to be runner up.
Peter Martin’s Daisy (D Naylor’s Straid Moss, P Martin’s Jill) stopped a little short on her outrun, but lifted cleanly and had a good fetch. Her drive was wavey and her turn out of the cross drive gate wide, but a clean pen and shed put her into second place, ahead of two runs matched on points, separated on outbye work.
Sandy McCulloch’s Risp (G McMullan’s Max and Jess) ran out wide but responded to Sandy’s whistle and had a clean lift. A good fetch followed, and although the ewes were off line on the cross drive, they went through the gate. Clean work at hand completed the run in third place.
Neil Gillon’s Boss (S Perellio’s Murgia Jim, R Hutchinson’s Denwyn Moya) ran out slightly short, but lifted cleanly. The ewes wavered from line on the fetch, and to a lesser degree on the drive, but Boss got his gates; a clean pen and a good shed put him into fourth place on his outbye.
Blackface ewes ran on a flat course with no fetch gates for Westerhall nursery, where Allan Common’s Geli Jack (DM Howell’s Nip and Wyverne Grey) ran out and landed well on his sheep. He fetched on a good line and had the ewes moving at a controlled pace on the drive with good turns. Jack finished with a good, clean pen and although the shed was more difficult, good work already achieved earned him first.
Duncan Robertson’s Kemi Cap (DK Evans Derwen Doug and Scalpsie Joy) also had a good line, a clean lift and fetch and a good turn. The drive went well, with minor deviations; a clean chute followed, but again, he found the shed a little harder and finished second.
Beoch, Stranraer (Judge: S Paton, Dalmellington). Open – 53 ran – 1, IM Brownlie’s Boyd, Dunbar, 90; 2, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 89 outbye; 3, A McCulloch’s Risp, Dalmellington, 89 outbye; 4, N Gillon’s Boss, Dailly, 89; 5, A Olofsson’s Templehall Fred, Alyth, 85 outbye; 6, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 85;
Barr (Judge: D Henderson, Allendale). Open – 55 ran – 1, S McCrindle’s Zac, Stranraer, 98 /110; 2, K Keith’s Sassy, Lockerbie, 95; 3, IM Brownlie’s Boyd, Dunbar, 94; 4, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 93 outbye; 5, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 93; 6, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 92. Confined – N Gillon’s Glen, Dailly, 89.
Drumuckloch (Judge: J Murtaugh, Kelso). Invitation Double Lift – 20 ran – 1, S McCrindle’s Zac, Stranraer; 2, I Lockhart’s Kemi Sia, Dalrymple; 3, IM Brownlie’s Don, Dunbar; 4, N McVicar’s Baledmund Pete, Benmore; 5, B Smith’s Lass, Dunrossness.
Melvich (Judge:G Cormack, Dunnet). Local – 19 ran –1, 1, N Sutherland’s Spot, Strathnaver; 2, D Worthington’s Buzz, Skarfskerry; 3, J Sutherland’s Lily, Durness; 4, I Sutherland’s Stevie, Strathnaver.
Northumberland league
Waite (Judge: M Northwood, East Woodburn). Nursery – 16 ran – 1, M Davidson’s Hendre Gwen, Lilburn, 89; 2, T Iley’s Tyke, Longframlington, 87; 3, M Davidson’s Glen, Lilburn, 85; 4, M Davidson’s Malta Pip, Lilburn, 82; 5, R Mitcheson’s Belle, Belsay, 80; 6, D Henderson’s Burndale Lexi, Allendale, 76. Novice – R Mitcheson’s Belle.