Thorn Daisy Closes Gap In Puppy Championship At Edge’s Green
Thorn Daisy moved to within one point of the HRA Puppy Championship lead after securing victory in a closely contested race at Edge’s Green.
The hound is owned by Martin and Molly Burrow, Ian Freyne, Ger Kenneally and Jennifer Kenneally, and her latest success took her season tally to 13 points. That leaves her just one point behind Let Me Try Again, owned by Duncan, Amy, Oliver, Liam and Eleanor Chisholm, Harry Turner and Brian Graham. Let Me Try Again was not entered for the latest race, leaving Thorn Daisy with an opportunity to close the gap.
Only six hounds contested the puppy race, but the field included Rodney Ranger, who had beaten Thorn Daisy at the weekend. Rodney Ranger was therefore among the main contenders and provided a strong challenge throughout the latest contest, while Zinger also remained closely involved during the race.
From the slip, Thorn Daisy immediately showed pace alongside Rodney Ranger and Zinger. The three hounds quickly established themselves towards the front of the field, setting up a competitive race in which the lead changed as they progressed around the course.
Zinger initially held an advantage when the runners were next seen, but the position changed as they crossed the road. Thorn Daisy moved into first place and began to establish a small gap over both Zinger and Rodney Ranger.
The contest remained open as the leading three continued towards the final road. Thorn Daisy, Rodney Ranger and Zinger had broken clear of the other runners, with the advantage changing repeatedly as they approached the later stages of the race.
By the time they reached the penultimate field, Thorn Daisy and Rodney Ranger were running almost level. Zinger was only a couple of yards behind, keeping the pressure on and ensuring the outcome remained uncertain as the leading trio continued towards the finish.
The final stages produced another close battle between the leading hounds. Thorn Daisy and Rodney Ranger remained together through the last part of the course, with the result ultimately decided as they came through the final gate and raced towards the line.
Thorn Daisy managed to prevail on this occasion, finishing ahead of Rodney Ranger and Zinger. The result gave her an important victory in the championship standings and moved her to just one point behind the current leader.
Bewley finished fourth for Tony, Marlene, Connor and Carter Irving and Gary Woodend. Show Boat, owned by Andy and Alan Horn, took fifth, while Charlie’s Dream, owned by George McGimpsey, Gillian, Millie and Charlie Telford, completed the field.
The seniors' race attracted nine runners, with Denton Phantom leading the field early on. Huntsman’s Time and Baroness Ava were among those close behind, while Minnie Million also remained involved as the runners progressed through the course.
Denton Phantom and Huntsman’s Time were together when the hounds crossed the first road, with Minnie Million also close enough to challenge. Later, eight of the nine runners were reported to be travelling closely together, with Millie’s Lass and Denton Phantom among those showing prominently.
As the race approached the final road, Denton Phantom held the advantage from Huntsman’s Time and Jenny’s Chance. The order changed again near the final gate, where Jenny’s Chance, Denton Phantom and Baroness Ava were at the front.
Jenny’s Chance ultimately produced the strongest finish to take the seniors' race. Minnie Million finished second after a fast run towards the line, while Baroness Ava secured third, with Millie’s Lass fourth, Denton Phantom fifth and Huntsman’s Time sixth.
The Open Maiden provided the final race of the meeting, with eight hounds taking part. Is It It, trained by Denise and Jenny Bland, made a strong start, while Tartan Raider and Eden Romina were also prominent as the runners moved away.
Tartan Raider then took the lead approaching the road, with Eden Ripple and Is It It following behind. Tartan Raider opened a significant advantage of around 50 yards at the top of the fell, but the order changed after the runners passed behind the wood.
Eden Ripple moved into first place coming out of the wood, with Tartan Raider and Is It It continuing to challenge. The three leaders remained closely matched as they dropped towards the final road, setting up another competitive finish to the meeting.
Tartan Raider and Is It It were together through the final gate before racing towards the line. Is It It produced the decisive finish to claim victory and complete a double for the Bland kennel, following Jenny’s Chance's success in the seniors.
Tartan Raider finished second and Eden Ripple third, while Bash On took fourth for Christopher Henderson and was being trained by Andy and Alan Horn and Simon Walker. Spring Ribbon finished fifth and Eden Romina took the final ticket, bringing the evening's racing at Edge’s Green to a close.
The puppy result leaves the HRA championship contest finely positioned, with Thorn Daisy now within one point of the leading total. Her victory also came against Rodney Ranger, who had already beaten her at the weekend, adding further interest to the developing championship battle.
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