Last updated 21:57, Wednesday, 23 July 2008

LAST year’s Common Riding trail winner Silver Birch is still hot favourite to retain what is regarded as the Blue Riband of Border trailing tomorrow morning after another success last Sunday.

The odds will be much restricted so many punters could be looking for an alternative at a better price or perhaps an each-way bet.

The main danger to the favourite, owned by Sandra Mordue of Penton, could be Marshman from the John and Clare Crone kennels at Burgh-by-Sands.

Last season’s champion pup Trust had some success in the seniors early in the season but seems to have gone off the boil recently, and two-year-olds have a bad record in the Common Riding trail.

A long shot in the betting could be the longest-travelled Mr Ed, owned by Edgar Baines at Cockermouth.

Langholm’s hopes rest on the entries from the Borthwick kennels – Castle Tarras and Castle Thorn. Both finished placed in their trails last Sunday but Castle Thorn could be the one to reach the tickets and might even spring a surprise if at its best.

Marshman won the old dogs last Wednesday at Edges Green for John and Clare Crone, with Castle Tarras, owned by Ian Cuthbert and Elliot Borthwick, taking second, with Silver Birch in fifth.

Silver Birch came back to form at last Sunday’s meeting at Steel Rigg to collect another first prize.

Geoff and Doreen Philipson of Roadhead won the graded hounds last Saturday with Skylark and Marti Borthwick picked up third ticket with Castle Thorn.

Ed Baines walked away with the pups’ prize with Gold Finger, while Spring Raider took the honours in the graded pups for Jenny Horn of Carlisle.

Last Wednesday Craig Mark, of Cumwhitton, secured the pups with Summer Delight and Spring Breeze took the open maiden trail for Ronnie Ridley of Carlisle.

George Burgon and Bill Aitchison of Wark took top prize in the open graded with Houxty Beck. The Borthwick kennels had to once again settle for place tickets last week, with Castle Thorn, Castle Tarras, Castle Corrie and Castle Brae getting among the prizes.

Wednesday – Edges Green

Old Dogs: Marshman, Castle Tarras, Eagle Gill, Skylark, Silver Birch, Newman. 9 ran, 27.10.

Pups: Summer Delight, Templer, Summer Venture, Gold Finger, Castle Corrie, Farm Watch. 13 ran, 20.06.

Open Graded: Houxty Beck, Freedom, Fire Glory, Sparkling Pearl, Delta Dancer, Major. 13 ran, 19.01.

Open Maidens: Spring Breeze, Azinger, Molly, Legend, Castle Brae, Fire Dream. 9 ran, 19.31.

Sunday, – Steel Rigg

Old Dogs: Silver Birch, Freedom, Houxty Beck, Trust, Marshman, Lakeland Mist. 8 ran, 24.13.

Graded Hounds: Skylark, Puzzle, Castle Thorn, Major, Eagle Gill, Springfield Lass. 17 ran, 25.42.

Pups: Gold Finger, Farm Time, Summer Venture, Summer Delight, Cheeky Girl, Fire Ranger. 6 ran, 16.29.

Graded Pups: Spring Raider, Jackpot, Spring Midget, Farm Watch, Templer, Gold Dust. 9 ran, 17.14.