The pre-sale show winners went on to top the Rouge Sheep Society's annual show and sale at Carlisle, when achieving a joint top price of 1800gns.

The champion, Powerhouse Bodyguard, a shearling ram from from Colin, Wendy and Owen Phillips, The Batch, Sarnesfield, Weobley, Herefordshire, found a new home with Messrs Nairey, Heys Lane, Blackburn. Reserve male champion at the Three Counties and the Royal Welsh, Bodyguard is a son of Tullyvallen Ya Belter and is bred from a Knighton ewe.

The reserve male champion, Grassknop Culli, from Alistair and Alison Mitchell, Grassknop Farm, Skelton, Penrith, matched the 1800gns top. Culli is sired by Aberdeenshire breeder Pat Imlah's Bennachie Avatar and is out of Hardhaugh Yas. Final bidders were Messrs Wright, Shute, Axminster, Devon.

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Joint sale leader at 1800gns was Grassknop Culli Joint sale leader at 1800gns was Grassknop Culli

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The same home sold Grassknop Crumble, by the same sire for 1500gns to Messrs Ireland, Dean Lane, Whalley.

Just behind on 1400gns another from the same flock but sired by a different ram bred by Pat Imlah, was bought by Messrs Reay, Ridley Cottage, Wall, Hexham. Grassknop Black Jack, the fourth prize shearling is a son of Bennachie You Cracker.

The sole Rou-Tex shearling ram, Cargen Glen Bandit, to be sold made 1200gns for Kerrie McDermid, Waterside Farm, Terregles, Dumfries. Sired by Lagyveagh Gerry, she is out of Ian’s Vita and found a new home with Messrs Dowson, Wansford Road, Driffield.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Averages: 11 gimmers, £610.91 (-£97.84 for one more); 13 ewe lambs, £395.77 (+£144.72 for two more); seven shearlings, £1020; 12 ram lambs, £700 (+£274.17 for three more)