As judge, Dean Anderson, Mayne, Elgin, had to make some tough decisions among the Beef Shorthorn's – giving the winning slap among the seniors to Eskechraggan Masterstroke, whilst Millerston Irania Nutella took the top spot in the juniors.

Eskechraggan Masterstroke was making his mark for Tom McMillan, Eskechraggan, Rothesay, Isle of Bute, on his first outing and is set to be for sale in February at Stirling. This 16-month-old bull is a son of Tamhorn Glen, out of Knockenjig Tessa and his full sister was champion at this year's Royal Highland Show from some huge classes.

It was worth the long trip across the Irish Sea for Donald McDowell, Maghera, Northern Ireland, when his 16-month-old heifer was given the reserve senior championship. His Castlemount Matrix Matilda is a daughter of Elliot Matrix and out of Craigfaddock Matilda 14.

Flourishing in the juniors was Millerston Irania Nutella, from Jack and Grace Ramsay, Millerston, Mauchline, Ayrshire. This six-month-old heifer is one of the first crop of calves from Bushypark Tiger and is out of Millerston Irania, a consistently good breeding cow for the herd.

Taking the reserve junior ticket was the male champion, Muiresk Northern Dancer, from Stuart Mair and Sons, Kinnermit, Turriff. This seven-month-old bull is sired by Alvie Galaxy, the male champion at the Great Yorkshire in 2014, and out of Millerston Augusta Julie, with this being her second calf.

LEADINGawards:

Senior

Bulls born July 30 to Nov 17, 2018 – 1, T McMilian's Eskechraggan Masterstroke, by Tamhorn Glen; 2, SG Mair and Sons' Muiresk Messiah, by Loch Awe Lysander; 3, D Welsh's Westbroad Marshall, by Shawhill JAT.

Heifers born Apr 13 to Oct 20, 2018 – 1, DD McDowell's Castlemount Matrix Matilda, by Elliot Matrix; 2, D Welsh's Westbroad Bramble, by Shawhill JAT; 3, D Welsh's Westbroad Rusty 12, by Shawhill JAT.

Junior

Bulls born Jan 10 to Mar 16, 2019 – 1, TA Jackson's Headlind Nobunaga, by Tofts Atlas. Born Mar 25 to May 11, 2019 – 1, SG Mair and Sons' Muiresk Northern Dancer, by Alvie Galaxy; 2, D Welsh's Westbroad Nadal, by Shawhill JAT; 3, J and G Ramsay's Millerston North Pole, by Meonhill Charlie Chaplin.

Heifers – Born Jan 3 to Mar 28, 2019 – 1, J and G Ramsay's Millerston Irania Novelty, by Bushypark Tiger; 2, TA Jackson's Headlind Holly Nutmeg, by Tofts Atlas; 3, Rattray Estate's Rattray Naddie, by Fearn Joker. Born Apr 14 to May 9, 2019 – 1, J and G Ramsay's Millerston Irania Nutella, by Bushypark Tiger; 2, J Wood's Wells Tessa, by Wells Koppertop; 3, TA Jackson's Headlind Wineberry Neiva.