The Welsh family brought out hidden talents to help dominate the final trials of the South Ayrshire nursery season, at Loch Doon.

At Dalfarson, the well-behaved Blackface hoggs ran well on a rising course, with a turf dyke near the top and patches of rashes on the 300 yard outrun, but they could be tricky at the pen.

Willie Welsh’s Doug (B Smith’s Zac, A Blackmore’s Rosewood Class) got off to a clean start and had just a minor waver on the way down the fetch. He had an excellent drive, with just a slightly wide turn out of the cross drive gates to fault it.

His pen was clean, but Doug came in on a single sheep at the shed. Once the packet was regrouped, Doug shed correctly to earn top spot.

Making his first appearance of the season on its last day, Jocky Welsh and Gael joined forces with his cousin, Willie, to depose two tied leaders, including his grandfather.

Gael (G Welsh’s Craig, WJ Welsh’s Meg) ran out cleanly to the top, but was slightly hesitant on her lift. Her fetch and drive did not flow smoothly, but she kept good lines, although she made a slightly wide turn through the cross drive gates. A clean pen followed and although she was a little hesitant at the shed, she took second.

But she made progress next time around, and though a little tight at the top, lifted cleanly and had an excellent, clean fetch. She had a grand drive, with only a minor waver to a clean pen. She disturbed the sheep at the shed before successfully completing the job for first place.

Grandpa, Jock Welsh, held his own with Sonny, working cleanly outbye and in. He made a tight turn at the first drive gate, but fell low on the cross drive, before going through the gate. A clean pen followed and although difficulties at the shed cost him the trial, when the shed was made, Sonny took second place to win the league.

John MacKillop’s Jed won both Skipness trials with a higher standard on his second time round the course, where the Cheviot hoggs ran well on a big, flat course – though they were more settled for the second trial.

First time round, Jed (C Davidson’s Cap, R Harris’ Jan) ran out and lifted well, but with bends on the fetch. The drive went well, although the turn through the cross drive gate was wide. A good chute and shed, if slightly hesitant, completed his first win.

On the second, Jed made the most of the hoggs’ improved acceptance of the circuit, with an excellent run and only a wide turn around John and consequent off-line start to the drive away went against him, for a high scoring win.

Two dogs with good pens led Wigtownshire’s victory in the tripartite Border cup, at Awhirk, where the Blackface hoggs ran well on a gently rising course, but they were not keen to be penned, where many promising runs foundered.

Jim Mitchell’s Paige (P Williams’ Sweep, SC Waymen’s Meg) ran out and lifted her sheep very well. The line of her fetch wavered, but her drive went well until the hoggs went off line on the return to the pen. A good pen and a clean shed set the seal on the winning run.

Danny Mitchell’s Pip (I McMillan’s Lamp, D Mitchell’s Kate) worked well outbye and had a decent drive, with a wavering line. She had a clean pen, and although she was hesitant to make her shed, once she came in, she completed the job for second.

LEADING awards

Dalfarson, Loch Doon I (Judge: A McMillan, Straiton). Nursery – 10 ran – 1, W Welsh’s Doug, Dalcairney, 93; 2, J Welsh’s Gail, Beoch, 90; 3, N Gillon’s Burndale Lass, Dailly, 85; 4, C Derwent’s Dot, Dumfries House, 82 outbye; 5, I Fergie’s Craig, Straiton, 82.

Dalfarson, Loch Doon II (Judge: D Porter, Stranraer). Nursery – 10 ran – 1, J Welsh’s Gail, Beoch, 94; 2, JR Welsh’s Sonny, Dalrymple, 93 outbye; 3, I Fergie’s Craig, Straiton, 93; 4, J Shennan’s Rose, Barr, 92; 5, W Welsh’s Doug, Dalcairney, 88.

Skipness I (Judge: AP Ronald, Laggan Braes). Nursery – 7 ran – 1, J MacKillop’s Jed, Fort Augustus, 88; 2, JC MacLachlan’s Rick, Spean Bridge, 79; 3, A McCuish’s Roy, Skipness, 78; 4, JC MacLachlan’s Queen, Spean Bridge, 76; 5, M MacNally’s Glen, Invergarry, 75.

Skipness II (Judge: A Ronald, Peninver). Nursery – 7 ran – 1, J MacKillop’s Jed, Fort Augustus, 96; 2, A McCuish’s Roy, Skipness, 88; 3, M MacNally’s Glen, Invergarry, 85; 4, K Strachan’s Flora, Roybridge, 76; 5, JC MacLachlan’s Queen, Spean Bridge, 73.

Awhirk, Border cup (Judge: C Dickson, Coldingham). Nursery – three teams of 10 ran – 1, J Mitchell’s Paige, New Luce, 86, W; 2, D Mitchell’s Pip, New Luce, 84, W; 3, J Thomson’s Drift, Penpont, 83, D and K; 4, D Scrimgeour’s Jet, Wigton, 82, NW; 5, J McGowan’s Tony, Portpatrick, 80, W; 6, I McMillan’s Straid Zac, Newton Stewart, 81, W; 1, Wigtownshire; 2, Dumfries and Kirkcudbright; 3, North Westmorland.

Abington (Judge: W Welsh, Dalcairney). Nursery – 21 ran – 1, J Hill’s Bill, Heriot, 76; 2, RB Henderson’s Lad, Heriot,70; 3, N Shaw’s Molly, Selkirk, 68; IM Brownlie’s Templehall Oz, Deuchrie, 66 outbye; 5, S Morgan’s Mid Derry Kim, Heriot, 66. Novice – 1, T McInley’s Pat, Coulter, 76; 2, N Shaw’s Molly, Selkirk, 68; 3, K Blackwood’s Jill, Abington, 54; 4, K Aitchison’s Beth, Mossdale, 48; 5, R Reid’s Taff, Carnwath, 50.

Glenturret (Judge: S McAuley, Conachan). Nursery – 20 ran – 1, CM Magnusson’s Wheatwood Bee, Mid Derry,74 outbye; 2, S MacFarlane’s Willow, Blairgowrie, 74; 3, D Galbraith’s Todd, Comrie, 72; 4, P Martin’s Kay, Glenlyon,71; 5, L Magnusson’s Glencar Eire, Mid Derry, 65; 6, M Watt’s Nap, Kirriemuir, 63 outbye; 7, K Howlett’s Spot, Comrie, 63; 8, M Caul’s Denwyn Mist, Balkello, 61; 9, AD Carnegie’s Sweep, Comrie, 60 outbye; 10, R Lewis’ Ruby, Killin, 60. Novice – 1, D Shepherd’s Wisp, Dunkeld, 70.