My thanks to the exhibitors who braved the M25 on a Friday, and to my stewards who were most helpful,

My overall impression was that movement has improved since I last judged, on the down side there were too many flat feet and conversely some small tight feet with the upright pastern that often accompanies them.

Class 158 VD NO ENTRIES

Class 159 PD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 488 HELPS Dr S A F & Mrs H B Beardswood Quinlan

Promising handsome six month old dark puppy. Attractive head with dark eye, well set neatly folded ears, quite deep chested, with a good fore chest and good width. Excellent harsh coat, pleasing top line, good spring of rib, good bladed bone correct let down pasterns and neat feet. Would prefer more angulation at the rear. Moved quite well considering his age. BP

Class 160 JD NO ENTRIES

Class 161 YD (4 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: 473 BOND Mrs J Pyefleet Silas

One of three deerhounds from the same litter that won classes at this show. Balanced deep chested dog, good outline, width front and rear, nicely angulated rear. Moved well when he settled down.

2nd: 514 STUART, Ms M A & HOLT Ms K M Regalflight Tomahawk At Ollandsheart

Head OK, neat folded ears, Reasonable lay of shoulder, with good length of upper arm, typical profile for age, tidy feet, properly let down pasterns, good spring of rib. Should grow on well.

3rd: 510 SPENCE Mrs L A Hyndsight Ash Into Shagiead

Class 162 PGD (2 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: 520 WILSON Mrs C Hamiltonhill Fred D Mercury

Nice dog. Very good head and expression, powerful neck and good lay of shoulder, very good top line and depth of chest, lovely coat, good tail, moved very well. Did not quite have the might I would expect a male deerhound to have.

Class 163 LD (6 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: 512 SPENCE, Mrs L A & HEATHCOTE Miss N Hyndsight Riddick

Easy winner of this class, at two years old obviously has lot more to do. Good head with well set neat folded ears, eye could be a little darker. Good front construction, with correct width and a well laid shoulder, good spring of rib, well boned and in firm muscular condition. Excellent coat, angulation at the rear just right, and movement was powerful straight and true and best in class.

2nd: 502 SEYMOUR-JACKSON Mrs L B Ghiltan Hero

Lovely grey 5 year old male, nice head. Deep chested, good spring of rib, good width and correct angles at front and rear. Moved well but not with the drive of 1.

3rd: 485 GILHOOLY, Mrs & MORRISSEY Miss J M Lord Seafield Of Hartvalley

Class 164 OD (6 Entries) Abs: 1

A class of five good hounds.

1st: 489 HELPS Dr S A F & Mrs H B Ch Greyfriars Gille Of Beardswood

A fine mature powerful male. Good head excellent ears with a strong neck and well laid shoulders, good width in front with fore chest, well boned, correct and very pleasing profile, and well angulated rear with plenty of width, moved well all round. Well presented and in good physical condition with an excellent crisp coat. A little hard in expression for my taste, but was pleased to award him BOB.

2nd: 486 GIRLING Miss M J Ch Pyefleet Rollo

A very nice workmanlike deerhound – and that is a compliment in that I can imagine this dog doing the job for which the breed was intended. Good head, strong neck, good construction front and rear with good width, tight feet and excellent coat. Above all supremely fit and well muscled, an excellent example of what a deerhound's physical condition should be. Moved well. Very pleasing to my eye in profile, with a good rise over the loin and fall away over the croup. Did not particularly like his expression but I could forgive this considering the rest of the dog. RCC

3rd: 482 HIRD Mrs S Cloweswood Fagus

Class 165 VB (4 Entries) Abs: 1

Three lovely old girls.

1st: 506 SHANNON Mrs E Lealla Is Fearr

I am reminded that I gave this bitch a first in 2004, so I am at least consistent. Pleasing head, neat ears and good outline with plenty of depth, well knuckled feet. Reasonable front construction, lacking in fore chest Remarkable condition for a 10 year old, and really showed well, at one with her handler, which got her the placing. Best Veteran

2nd: 507 SHANNON Mrs E Lealla Joka

Another nice one, close decision between this and 1. Heavier in build than 1 with more bone, Good head with neat folded ears, good lay of shoulder, deep brisket, good top line and nice feet. Not moving with extension fore and aft of the winner today.

3rd: 503 SEYMOUR-JACKSON Mrs L B Ghiltan Larch

Class 166 PB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

Attractive puppy, very similar in type to her litter brother who won Puppy Dog, and much of what I said about him applies here. Longer cast than her brother, and her top line at the moment is not as good hence the decision to award BP to her brother. Moved well for her age.

1st: 490 HELPS Dr S A F & Mrs H B Beardswood Quintessence

Class 167 JB (4 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: 472 BARTER, Mrs S. E. & CHRISTIAN Mrs A.B. Hoddingrey Strahanna Of Ehlaradawn

Substantial well balanced bitch, nice head with well set ears, eye could be a little darker. Quite good front construction with good angles, good spring of rib, straight front and good feet. Correct top line and strong well angulated rear. Moved well.

2nd: 496 MCGILL Miss S Cotherstone Take Silk

Eye catching dark bitch with a lovely outline. Attractive head. dark eye very good well set ears, strong neck with good reach. Moved well in profile but a little loose coming and going. Needs to settle down in the ring, and needs more weight. Hope she fulfills her promise.

3rd: 492 KEEN Mrs D Ehlaradawn Reflections

Class 168 YB (6 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: 515 STUART, Ms M A & HOLT Ms K M Pyefleet Skatha At Ollandsheart

Really liked this bitch, my eye kept going to her. Excellent viewed from all angles, well laid shoulder, well knuckled feet and an excellent profile with correct sweep over the loin and fall away Good width all through, well boned, good construction throughout. Shown in good physical condition and well presented. Best mover in the class.

2nd: 487 GIRLING Miss M J Pyefleet Sabine

Another quality bitch litter sister to the winner, and many of the comments about her apply here too. However a more rangy bitch at present and not so good in profile as 1, who also had the edge on movement on the day.

3rd: 501 SAMWAYS Ms C Cassacre Aelgyth

Class 169 PGB (7 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 495 MANSELL, Mr B & DUDDELL Mrs J M Killoeter Pieris at Canerikie

Quality 2 ½ year old bitch, typical of the breeders kennel, correct head with dark eye and pleasing expression, strong neck, excellent crisp coat, well boned, construction overall is very good with a good shoulder, good spring of rib, correct top line and good width between the legs and excellent feet. Well muscled and obviously fit, which was reflected in her movement which was best in class. Still not finished, she has more to do. RCC.

2nd: 476 BUSWELL Mrs P J & Mr J F Glenmorlich Just For Fun

Entirely different type to 1, prettier and not so workmanlike as the winner, this is a grey bitch with a lovely head, dark eye, high set and neat folded ear. Good overall construction and in good physical condition. Moved well but not with drive of the winner. Awarded her best head and expression.

3rd: 467 ADAMS Miss B Ardneish Pantalaimon

Class 170 LB (8 Entries) Abs: 3

1st: 468 BAILEY Mr G & Mrs N B Greyflax Crystal

Won this class on her movement which is outstanding. Only a two year old so has more to do. Dark eye, pleasing expression, neat ears leading to a strong neck. Very good front construction, good fore chest and well laid shoulder, straight strong legs with properly let down pasterns to well knuckled feet. A little lacking in fall away over the croup, and rear angles could be better, but she moved soundly with great reach and drive and was good coming and going. CC

2nd: 498 MORGAN Mrs P A Ladygrove Calamity Jane At Amiro (Imp)

Entirely different type to 1, shorter on the leg on leg and longer, attractive head, shoulder placement good but a little straight in front, strong hind quarters with corresponding good action coming and going, movement in profile also good.

3rd: Beardswood Niamh At Calbraidh

Class 171 OB (5 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: 491 JANSONS Miss H R Ch Nixophel Crystal Amethyst JW Sh.CM

Substantial well put together bitch, good head, ears could have a better fold, good neck and shoulder construction, good top line and deep brisket with strong rear quarters. Moving well coming and going, movement in profile fair. A very nice deerhound.

2nd: 499 PLATT Mrs S Charbonnel Fliss

Quite an eye catching bitch, lovely head with dark eye, good ear set, a well boned substantial lady with a good outline and spring of rib, good shoulder and well angulated rear, with low set hocks. Very well handled moved well. Just preferred the front of 1.

3rd: 484 GILHOOLY Mr & Mrs D A Freyja At Nobys

M. J. .Peach. (Judge)