Averages: 301gimmers £ 836.25 (-£4.69 for 37 more sold).

Despite the increased entries, Beltex gimmers sold well without any high fliers.

Instead, a steady trade saw three lots sell for the top price of 5000gns including the female champion, Wade and Alison McCrabbe's Ardstewart Ballerina, from the 30-ewe flock based in Co Donegal, Southern Ireland.

A daughter of the 900gns Woodies Aero, out of Ardstewart Take That, she was knocked down to Cornwall breeders, D and LE Gregory, Lower Hornacott, Boyton, Launceston.

Young Fife breeder and veterinarian, Ian Wainwright, who together with his brother James and their father, Andy, run 40 ewes in their Todhall flock from Cupar, also enjoyed a good day, selling eight gimmers to average £1800.

Their dearest at 5000gns was Todhall Beth, by the 3700gns Kingledores Warrior bought in 2014, out of Todhall Tinga. George Wilkinson, Arkleby House, Wigton, was the last man in on this entry which is from the same family at the 3600gns Todhall Wish Master sold in 2015.

Another from the same home an by the same sire made 3000gns, when Todhall Bridget, was purchased by Page Farm Partnership, Rookwith, Ripon.

Suffolk breeder, Gary Beacom, who owns the Lakeview flock from Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, also got in on the act, forking out 5000gns and 4000gns to establish a new flock. Dearest was Rathbone Barbara ET, a Buckles Whizz Kid daughter bred from the flock's show ewe, Rathbone Tidy from MR and JE Davis, Ravenshaw, Eldroth, Austwick.

Later, Jock Cowan, who sold eight gimmer to average £2100 from his Brickrow flock from Ayr, received 4000gns. This was paid for Brickrow Bunty, a Matt's Wild daughter that stood fourth at the Highland, out of the show ewe, Brickrow Wispa.

A full sister to this year's Highland Show champion, Kingledores Belle ET, from Richard Wood's Broughton-based flock, then made 3100gns to Henry Jewitt, Gracies Farm, Romaldkirk, Barnard Castle. She is by Clary Ablaze and out of Kingledores Starlight.