I would like to thank all exhibitors who entered under me and also my two excellent stewards, who did a sterling job. No matter how much judging you do from the ringside, you always get a few pleasant and unpleasant surprises, when you go hands on. On the whole exhibits where well presented and well muscled with a few exceptions. Although I was pleased with my winners, I could not say I was spoilt for choice and the depth of quality has not improved since I last judged.

There where more than enough untypical hounds, with poor fronts, shallow bodies, slab sides and thin. I thought this time round, rear movement viewed from the rear generally good, however some rear angulations, appeared point of stifle high with lack of width and long from hock to floor, loosing that lovely curvy shape to compliment a well angulated front, many hounds viewed in profile lacked drive and reach. Fortunately have lived long enough to know all breeds to through these phases, but remember the future of the breed is in your hands. BOB and DCC was Bond’s, Regalfight Storm Bird. RDCC was Peach’s, Greyflex Myth to Kilbourne. BCC was Finnet, Heathcoat and Piggott’s, Ch. Hyndsight Heaven Can Wait. RCC was Wragg’s, Neroche Halistra. BP was Bond’s, Regalflight Moth.

MPD. (2). 1. Heathcoate and Finnett’s, Hyndsight Rough Justice. 8 and a half months old. Dark eyes, small neat ears. Fairly short coupled. Reasonably well angulated both ends. Moved sound but a little narrow all through.

PD. (1). 1. Moore’s, Stranwith Mercury. Sweet head, dark eye. Very shapely but short coupled. Reasonably well off for bone. Good feet, moved well. Hope he grows on.

JD. (4). 1. Spencer’s, Gentom Orlander. Larger hound. Plain head and expression, lacking softness. Strong neck leading to well laid shoulders. Short straight upper arm. Reasonable spring of rib. Good coat could have moved with more drive and reach. 2. Merrick’s, Clanardwood Sovereign. Smaller hound all over than winner. Rather plain in head. Reasonable lay of shoulder and upper arm. Lacked rib and was on the thin side. Reasonably well angulated behind and moved well.

PGD. (11). 1. Peach’s, Greyflex Myth to Kilbourne. Well up to size. Typical head. Strong neck leading to well laid shoulders. Forearm a little straight. Good body with forechest and spring of rib leading to well angulated quarters. Would like a tad more width, well off for bone. Moved with drive and reach. 2. Randall’s, Demerlay Maigret Hammonds. Lovely type. Neat head with soft expression. Correct reach of neck leading to well laid shoulders. Return of upper arm could be better. Lovely body, correct spring of rib. Good length of loin. Dropping quarters. Well angulated rear. Good short hocks. Correct coat. Moved well. Would like him a size bigger. 3. Helps’, Beardsood Marion.

LD. (5). 1. Poole’s, Gentom Loyalty at Brockfield. Lovely breed type with classic head. Good neck leading to well laid shoulders. Good return of forearm. Good depth of body. Would like more spring of rib. Correct length of loin. Dropping quarters and correct bend of stifle. Again would like more width. Correct coat. Moved well and well presented. 2. Blackford and Morrissey’s, Noby’s Fingal. Again nice breed typy. Good head and eye. Front angulation both shoulder and foremarm steep. Good body, well angulated rear. Moved with lack of drive, but sound enough., 3 Wiggan’s, Anmialchu Buachaille.

OD. (5). 1. Bond’s, Regalflight Stormbird. Have admired this dog from the ringside and did not disappoint. Lovely breed type. Typical head with a soft expression. Strong neck leading to well laid shoulders, adequate return of forearm. Good depth and spring of rib leading to correct length of loin and drooping quarters, with good angulation, giving that lovely curvy lines. Good bone, overall well balanced hound that looked as though he could do the job he was originally bred for. Moved soundly and with reach and drive. 2. Finnet and Harrington’s, Ch. Hyndsight Wind of Change. Workman like hound. Harder head and expression. Strong neck leading to well laid shoulders. Adequate return of forearm. Shorter coupled than I would like. Strong quarters. Good bone and harsh coat. Sound mover, but not the reach and drive of the winner. 3. Peach’s, Kilbourne Minrod.

MPB. (3). 1. Bonds’, Regalflight Moth. Tender age of 6 and a half months old. Loving every moment of her day. Sweet head and expression. Good neck leading to well laid shoulders. Lovely deep body with correct spring of rib. Correct length of loin with sweeping quarters. Good width across the stifle. Low set hocks. Correct coat completed the picture. Moved positive and true. Wish she were mine. 2. Heathcote and Finnett’s, Hyndsight Taking Silk. Total different puppy than winner. Quite a raw puppy at present all legs at the moment. Head and expression could be softer. Good lay of shoulder. Would like more depth of body. Quarters well angulated. Flat topline on the move.

PB. (5). 1. Peach’s, Kilbourne of Suzzanna. Workman type. Dark eye, good head. Good lay of shoulder. Wo uld like more depth of body. Strong well angulated hindquarters. Good feet. Moved sound. 2. Phillips’, Ladygrove Spook. A more elegant bitch than winner. True Deerhound expression. Correct lay of shoulder. Forearm could be better angulated. Lovely body and sweeping quarters. Low set hocks. Moved sound. 3. Barret and Moore’s, Stranwith May.

JB. (7). 1. Reynolds’, Wickwar White Lace. Well balanced sound bitch. Correct angulation both ends. Good depth of body. Harsh coat. Moved with reach and drive. 2. Rhodes’, Gentom Ovation. Elegant bitch. Sweet head and expression. Reasonable depth of body, but rather thin. Lovely quarters. Shoulder well laid, but forearm steep and on the short side. Moved sound. 3. Bunce’s, Lealla Kintra of Bentwick.

PGB. (14). 1. Baily’s, Greyflax a Kind of Magic. Very tall hound which just upset the overall balance. Sweet head and expression. Reasonable lay of shoulder. Steep in forearm. Good body, strong loin leading to sweeping quarters. Would prefer lower set hocks. Good bone. Moved sound. 2. Parsons and McKinnon’s, Claonaiglen Orin. Liked this bitch very much. Good breed type. Soft expression. Well angulated both ends, without exaggeration. Good bone, correct coat. Moved with reach and drive. Just lost out on the day on maturity. 3. Helps’, Beardswood Morwenna.

LB. (9). 1. Wragg’s, Neroche Halistra. Sweet head and expression. Good angulation both ends. Lovely sweeping quarters. Low set hocks. Coorect coat, well presented. Moved with reach and drive. Good breed type. 2. Bailey’s, Greyflax Wayerloo Sunset. Loved this bitch. Lost out on the day on lack of maturity. I see she is not yet 2. Lovely breed type. Sweetest of heads, good lay of shoulder. Nice depth and spring of rib. Good length of loin. Well angulated quarters with width. Moved with reach and drive. 3. Buswell’s, Ghylladare Kinglas of Glennorlich.

OB. (3). 1. Finnet, Heathcoat and Piggot’s, Ch. Hyndsight Heaven Can Wait. A bitch without exaggeration, well anglated both ends. Good length of loin. Well off for bone. Correct texture of coat. Moved effortlessly with reach and drive.

J M Duddell