Mixed fortunes with the club’s representatives over the weekend but pleasing to report all hounds ran well and are fit and raring to go as of Sunday (9th)  morning.

Looking as if he had the race at his mercy, Woody’s (Fleetwood Rocker) poor fortune continued. Having jumped the final flight down the back straight cleanly, he stumbled on the flat as his legs were clipped by another runner.

It was a heart-stopping moment as he rolled over especially as he was vying for the lead at the time. He was none the worse after the race and was fine on Sunday morning.  Norah will continue to hurdle him as it was not a jumping problem that put him on the deck and he was clearly showing plenty of zest in the race.

Norah is still very hopeful that Woody will clock a decent time over hurdles and, in a fairly weak arena of competition, become a major player in Hurdle Opens in the months ahead.

Oscar (Lima Oscar) ran bravely and with great credit in his A3. The field were bunched in the run to the first bend and Oscar, standing his ground on the turn, was shuffled back out of contention. He stayed on well enough, coming through from last place to take third spot.

Gino (Horse Outside) again did himself no favours with a moderate start. Although to be fair the field included several decent trappers. Our black and white stayed on well, leading after the line, to take bronze.

Top honours this weekend go to our leading ‘Lady.’  Wendy (Hanover Lady)  showed a clean pair of heels to her rivals, scorching home in 29.18 in her A3 on Friday. A sectional of 4.83, and a very decent performance.

‘Mad dog’ Maunders has been working behind the scenes with the Surrey Herald and the club has a really nice piece, with headline and picture, reporting on our Big Night Out – see page 52.

The kennel is represented in top class Open action this week.  We have Early Goal and Droopys Cadel in the semis of the Belle Vue Scurry Cup, and Zodiac Zeus makes it a hat-trick of big tournament finals, lining up in the final of the £1,000 Blanchford Cup at Oxford.