Lotta Magnusson’s Kate headed up a closely packed list at at Neilston Show trial, the first open trial of the new season, following the cessation of trialling for lambing duties.

The long, narrow course was set on rising ground and proved challenging, to the extent that some dogs crossed their course in the confined space near the top. The Blackface hoggs ran very well in the morning, possibly the best behaved seen at that venue, but with experience, they tended to draw toward the exhaust pen later in the day.

Once they reached the pen, they were wary of any dog attempting to push them in at close quarters, instead, they had to be contained and encouraged into the enclosure.

Kate (M Magnusson’s Myllin Davey, L Magnusson’s Mel) ran out very well and although she was a little short at the top of the field, she worked very well on the course. It took time for Kate to persuade the sheep into the pen, but once she had done that successfully, a clean shed completed the course and the run earned first place.

Chris Toner’s Tammy (BK Renwick’s Nip, C Toner’s Graham’s Sam) worked very well, until she took a wrong command as the hoggs turned round Chris. As Tammy came in, the hoggs moved out, putting them off line for the start of the drive. Once that was corrected, Tammy kept the sheep on good lines and made neat turns on the drive. A good pen followed and although the shed took time, it came off at the first attempt and the work took second place.

Bobby Middleton’s Will (C Scott’s Nap, R Middleton’s Jess) started out very well, but his turn round Bobby’s feet was tight. The drive went well, and Will penned after the hoggs had attempted a few small breaks. A clean shed put the run into third place, level on points with fourth, but breaking ahead on the standard of outrun, lift and fetch.

David Henderson’s Burndale Brad (R Dalziel’s Spot, D Henderson’s May) ran out and lifted very well, and won the prize for the best start of the day. Once the hoggs had come through the fetch gate, they wandered off line and one wanted to leave the packet; Brad got them back on track to go round David at the post, although the turn was not as neat as it might have been. A good drive followed and a good pen and a clean shed, achieved despite the efforts of the awkward customer, finished the run in fourth place.

LEADING awards:

Neilston (Judge: JR Welsh, Dalrymple). Open – 45 ran – 1, L Magnusson’s Kate, Mid Derry, 90; 2, C Toner’s Tammy, Drimsynie, 88; 3, R Middleton’s Will, Neilston, 87 outbye; 4, D Henderson’s Burndale Brad, Allendale, 87; 5, SL Davidson’s Gillieglen Queen, Sandbank, 86; 6, SL Davidson’s Hope, Sandbank, 85; 7, L Gast’s Fae, Scalpsie, 84; 8, N Gillon’s Bhoy, Dailly, 83.