The March Trial Trails have kicked off with the first one at Plumpton in the setting of the Eden Valley.

Forty juniors were entered, which could have been a challenge for some pups who never had been lined up with so many but they all took it in their stride and set off well with only one returning back to the start.

You see them with about three minutes running and all were going well and coming onto the finish there was a clatter of around eight pups with anyone in with a chance of taking the victory.

James and Ava McClellan’s Miss Ava took the win by a length after being consistent over the winter and prominent in the trial trails.

Miss Ava beat in Ashley Horn and Christopher Henderson’s Intensity, with Russell and Wendy Dawson’s Westlife in third place.

In the senior race an impressive 52 took to the trail but it was difficult to make out how it was going as they went out of sight before, coming onto the finish, a hound had broken clear from the rest of the field to claim the victory by a length.

Denise Bland’s Huntsman’s Nimrod led Caroline Clough and Barry Laidler’s Best Mate with Denise’s Jenny’s Oracle in third place.

In the all-in race, 35 took to the line with Caroline Graham and Denis Reay’s Hunter’s Dale claiming the victory ahead of Caroline and Barry’s Copperfield, with Michelle Addison and David Clifford’s Eden Raya in third place.

Results

Plumpton – Pups: 1, Miss Ava; 2, Intensity; 3, Westlife; 4, Thorn Rose; 5, Wait and See; 6, Insane. 39 ran, time 10.26.

Hounds: 1, Huntsman’s Nimrod; 2, Best Mate; 3, Jenny’s Oracle; 4, Cuckoo Lane; 5, Huntsman; 6, Eden Rossi. 52 ran, time 9.32.

All-In: 1, Hunter’s Dale; 2, Copperfield; 3, Eden Raya; 4, Limber; 5, Canny Mover; 6, Tommy’s Legacy. 35 ran, time 10.28.

Fixtures

Plumpton – March 1, 8 and 15, P, H, AI (2pm).

Low Place – March 7, 14, P, H, AI (1.30pm).

Grassings – March 21, 28, P, H, AI (1pm).

Buttermere – March 12, P, H, AI (5pm), 22, 29 P, H, AI (1pm).