Michael Gallagher edges the win with Avon Roy at Atholl and Weem

Well behaved Cheviot cross continental ewes ran well on a rising slope and contributed to a high scoring prize list.

Roy (A Gallagher’s Cain, A Warmington’s Kim) ran out cleanly to his sheep and lifted them faultlessly. He let the lines of the fetch and drive waver a little, but he got his gates and bookended the course with a clean pen and shed which put him in contention for first place until the run off decided it.

Scott’s Mist (S Glen’s Alta-Pete Tim, J Hozack’s HH Jeb) overran her sheep a little and lifted them slightly off line, but she fetched them down to Scott on a good line and worked well on the drive, with just slight wavers. A clean pen and shed brought the run level with Roy’s, putting Mist, a descendant of Michael’s 2010 International champion, Cap, challenging Roy for success.

Blackface gimmers at Edinburgh proved light to handle at the top of a rise where they were released at the far end of an otherwise flat field. They disliked the first drive gate and were not happy to be guided towards it.

Johnnie Robinson’s Jaybeez Drift (M Kerr’s Ingleborough Sergio, JB Foster’s Greylees Tipsy) ran out and lifted cleanly and started the fetch on a good line, but as the gimmers approached the gate, Drift took a whistle from Johnnie to put them through. He turned them nicely round his master and achieved a good drive with just minor wavers, but the pen was not so smooth. The gimmers bolted round the pen and it took time to retrieve them, settle them and finally to pen the packet. A clean shed completed Drift’s winning run.

A steady run from Neil Gillon’s Just Lhuke led a tightly packed list at Gatehouse.

Texel cross Lleyn ewes ran well on a flat field that ran to a corner at the far end. Lhuke (Y Himmschoot’s Lhuke, V Hebeler’s Jess) ran out and lifted faultlessly, had a good fetch and a good drive marred only by slight deviations from the line of the drive away. A good pen followed and a clean shed gave Lhuke first place, with the competition hot on his heels.

A near perfect run from Andy Carnegie’s Suus won the day at Udny.

Easycare cross Lleyn ewes behaved well on a big, flat field but proved difficult to pen, although that was no problem for Suus (E Groot’s Preseli Roy, J Roos’ Bess). She ran out and lifted cleanly, worked well on the course with only minor wavers of her lines. A clean pen and shed secured her win.

Leading awards

Udny (Judge: G Simpson, Forgue). Open – 43 ran – 1, AD Carnegie’s Suus, Comrie, 96; 2, M Gallagher’s Hillrunner Rex, Alyth, 95; 3, T McRae’s Nite, USA, 93 outbye; 4, I Wilkie’s Skye, Tillypronie, 93; 5, S Glen’s Mist, Canada, 92; 6, S Glen’s Pip, Canada, 91 outbye. Novice – 1, J Adkin’s Moss, New Deer, 70; 2, M Ashworth’s Rex, Forres, 62; 3, C MacPherson’s Polly, Elgin, 56.

Gatehouse (Judge: S Paton, Dalrymple). Open – 35 ran – 1, N Gillon’s Just Lhuke, Dailly, 94; 2 A McCulloch’s Brynoer Juno, Dalmellington, 93 outbye; 3, M Glynn’s, Toss, Ireland, 93; 4, I Lockhart’s Roy, Carsphairn, 91; 5, W Welsh’s Jan, Dalcairney, 89; 6, A Espinoza’s Kate, USA, 85, Confined – 1, H Hampshire’s Skye, Gatehouse, 73; 2, R Malcolm’s Gael, Gatehouse, 72.

Atholl and Weem (Judge: N Mcvicar, Benmore). Open – 71 ran – 1, M Gallagher’s Avon Roy, Alyth, 93 run Off; 2, S Glen’s Mist, Canada, 93 run Off; 3, E Nilsson’s Midderry Kid, Alyth, 92 outbye; 4, AD Carnegie’s Suus, Comrie, 92 outbye; 5, B Strang’s Ken, USA, 92; 6, M Gallagher’s Hillrunner Rex, Alyth, 91 outbye; 7, J Watt’s Kate, Kirriemuir, 91; 8, I MacDonald’s Ben, Staffin, 90 outbye; 9, A McCulloch’s Brynoer Juno, Dalmellington, 90 outbye; 10, H Mitchell’s Dan, Glenfarg, 90. Local – N Boyne’s Poppy, Glenlochay.

Edinburgh (Judge: D Wallace, Blyth Bridge). Open – 51ran – 1, J Robinson’s Jaybeez Drift, Coldingham, 87; 2, B Allan’s USA, 86 outbye; 3, IM Brownlie’s Lark, Dunbar, 86; 4, C Dickson’s Bill, Yarrow, 81 outbye; 5, A Campbell’s Nap, Biggar, 81; 6, M Arres’ Midge, Dryden, 80.

Northumberland League

Cowdenburn (Judge: H Svobodova, Hallbankgate). Open – 36 ran – 1, M Elliott’s Nell, Lazonby, 92; 2, P Ellis’ Scott, Kendal, 85 outbye; 3, R MacRae’s Oates, Netherwitton, 85; 4, S Mcauley’s Nessa, Lilburn, 82; 5, L Zaloznik’s Free, Slovenia, 80 outbye; 6, J Drinkwater’s Jim, Teesdale, 80. Novice – J McDaid’s Jim, Gilsland.

Whitley Chapel (Judge: D Corbett, Rochester). Open – 34 ran – 1, P Ellis’ Scott, Kendal, 91; 2, M Davidson’s Pepper, Lilburn, 86 outbye; 3, M Davidson’s, Dunelle Harry, Lilburn, 86; 4, B Jordan’s Chase, Whitfield, 82 outbye; 5, J Tulloch’s Ben, Wark, 74; 6, J Moscrop’s Flick, Newcastle, 69. Novice – 1, J Tulloch’s Ben, Wark, 74.