A near faultless run from Fraser Shennan’s Fred at Blackaddie earned him a comfortable lead over the field.

Packets of four Scotch Mule hoggs were good to handle round a flat course, but they were not keen to go through the chute.

Fred (E Gray’s Reiver Gray, F Shennan’s Belle) ran out cleanly to the back of his sheep, lifted them well and fetched them down through the gates on a good, straight line. The turn round Fraser was just a little wide, but the only fault in an otherwise flawless drive. Fraser and Fred had the sheep nicely settled and achieved a good clean chute. The shed was good, if not perfectly smooth, but completed the winning run with a clear lead over the field.

Wullie Welsh’s Barcroft Jam (GL Davies’ Dreamwork Fred, S Holt’s Foinaven Ava) ran out well, lifted and fetched his sheep in a nicely controlled manner and made a good turn round the handlers’ post. The drive started well, and although the line took a little wobble at the drive away gate, the cross drive and return were straight. Wullie and Jam had a little difficulty putting their sheep through the chute, but once that was done, a good shed put them into second place.

Duncan Robertson’s Mirk (RP Watson’s Ace, K Brehmer’s Thistle Down Fern) ran out well, lifted the sheep smoothly and fetched cleanly. He guided the sheep across the first leg of the drive, through the gate and took a good line on the cross drive, but just slipped the cross drive gate. They had a little difficulty at the chute, but finished with a good shed and first place in the pro-novice class.

Ian Brownlie’s Lark (D Robertson’s Joe, A Watson’s Fan) led a closely packed list at Innerleithen where females claimed the top four places. The Mule hoggs behaved on the flat course, if dogs kept off them, but they could be flighty at the pen.

Lark ran out and landed tight on her sheep at the top, causing her to lift a little off line, but once she had them on line, she had a good fetch. Her drive went well, with just minor wavers and she got her gates, and although a hogg broke from the pen, Lark retrieved her and penned the packet. Her shed was a little hesitant, but she took first place, with the field close behind her.

Ian Fleming’s Wheatwood Ruby (DK Evans’ Red Spot, IR Fowler’s Fran) overlapped her sheep slightly at the top which impacted on her lift and her sheep were offline on the fetch, but she got her gate. She had a decent drive, with small wavers on the lines of the drive and return to the pen. A good pen and a clean shed put her into second place.

Sion Morgan’s Mainstay Pip (A Lehitio’s Coel, S Morgan’s Midderry Kim) too, overlapped on her outrun, which again affected her lift, but had just minor deflections from the line of the fetch. A good drive with minor wavers followed, and although a hogg broke from the pen, Pip penned and finished her run with a good shed and third place.

Leading Awards

Blackaddie, Sanquhar (Judge: M McTeir, Moniaive). Nursery –14 ran – 1, F Shennan’s Fred, Barr, 96; 2, WJ Welsh’s Bancroft Jam, Sanquhar, 90; 3, AR Mundell’s Jock, Moffat, 82; 4, D Robertson’s Zak, Langholm, 77; 5, F Shennan’s Nap, Barr, 76; 6, T Blacklock’s Mist, Kirkconnel, 70; 7, JA Common’s Highcliff Buzz, Lockerbie, 66; 8, J Thomson’s Roy, Carsphairn, 60; H Jackson’s Roy, Penpont. Pro-novice – 1, D Robertson’s Mirk, Langholm, 81; 2, R Malcolm’s Gael, Gatehouse, 79; 3, T Blacklock’s Chip, Kirkconnel, 78.

Skipness (Judge: A Cameron, Callander). Nursery – 12 ran – 1, K Strachan’s Mirk, Roybridge, 87; 2, JC MacLachlan’s Gale, Spean Bridge, 86; 3, R Rennie’s Ash, Furness, 81; 4, JC MacLachlan’s Craig, Spean Bridge,79; 5, A McCuish’s Nan, Skipness,78; 6, J MacKillop’s Glen, Fort Augustus, 76; 7, M MacNally’s Craig, Invergarry, 75; 8, J Shanks’ Link, Ardtornish, 71; 9, K Grieve’s Mirk, Skipness, 70.

Innerleithen (Judge: C Dickson, Coldingham). Nursery – 18 ran – 1, IM Brownlie’s Lark, Dunbar, 84; 2, I Fleming’s Wheatwood Ruby, Douglas, 83; 3, S Morgan’s Mainstay Pip, Heriot, 82; 4, IM Brownlie’s Beck, Dunbar, 81 outbye; 5, GC Gardner’s Glant Bob, Lesmahagow, 81; 6, J Mitchell’s Aaro, Broughton, 79; 7, H Brown’s Meg, Coulter, 78; 8, I Fleming’s Jake, Douglas, 76; 9, B Parker’s Duke, Heriot, 73; 10, T McKinlay’s Demi, Parkhall, 71. Novice – 10 ran – 1, A Walker’s Roy, Hamilton, 75; 2, R Reid’s Lynn, Carnwath, 69; 3, M McColm’s Viking Lee, Leadhills, 68; 4, N Reittu’s Lyn, Carnwath, 61.