THE JUNIOR bull leader went on to take the supreme title in the Simmental calf show at the Expo.

That was Michael and John Barlow's Denizes Hamish, a January-born calf by the Genus sire, Dinton Nautical, out of Auroch Eve, a cow which took her second Highland Show championship this past summer, shown with Hamish at foot. She was shown by John from the family unit at Littlewood Hall, Croston, Preston.

That left the senior male champion trailing in reserve overall spot for Richard and Louise Storer Smith, Spath, Uttoxeter. This was the August, 2015-born Storersmith Ghost Rider which was making his show debut. By the Cogent bull, Popes Barclay and out of Storersmith Electra, he is being targeted at Stirling's February sales.

The Barlows also had the reserve champion in the shape of Denizes Melody 22, a November-born yearling by Bosahan Dynamo, a stock bull which set a new record for the Bristol centre when he sold there for 9600gns after being champion at the show and sale.

Jimmy and Vikki Wood, from Popes Farm, Clitheroe, Lancs, had the reserve junior championship with Popes Rhona, a heifer full of top genetics.

This March-born calf is by Kilbride Farm Comber, a stock bull which cost 20,000gns at Stirling in October, 2012, and out of Skerrington Rhona 21, a cow which was inter-breed champion at the Highland Show in 2013 with twin heifers at foot. She was purchased at Stirling's spring sale in 2014 for 4800gns.