My thanks to the exhibitors for an entry that contained some real quality hounds, and to the stewards who helped to make my task a real pleasure.

PD (1) 1 Lord Seafield of Hartvalley. Strongly built youngster of good size. Typical soft expression. Well presented and handled. Good spring of rib with plenty of width. Well boned, lacking angles at present but no doubt these will come in time, and he will fine down. Moved very well, both in profile and coming and going.

JD (1) 1 Packway Vinson of Wildtor Dark 14th month old dog who caught my eye. Good coat for age, pleasing head and ears with a dark eye. Front construction OK, ample bone and tidy feet. Good topline falling away to well angulated hindquarters, well knuckled feet. A little unsettled with I understand a new handler but moved well enough. All to come, was pleased to award him RBOS.

PGD (3) 1 Anmialchu Beinn Buachaille. Balanced dog with a good head, dark eye and a well laid shoulder. Excellent top line and good rear angulation. Would have liked this one a little larger, and to have moved with more drive. 2 Neroche Hennessy of Deeranwith. Tall well built light grey dog with a good outline, spring of rib and a pleasing head and expression. Strong neck Good bone and well muscled, with no coarseness. Not doing his handler any favours today, Lost to (1) on maturity, but a close decision. 3 Ardneish Eccentric at Callmillard.

OD (3) 1 Killoeter Grilse. A mature powerful dog, workmanlike rather than elegant, but none the worst for that. Excellent topline and rear angulation, well sprung ribcage plenty of width and depth of brisket. Good bone and well muscled. Looks like he could do the job for which he was intended. Movement Ok but could have moved with more drive. BOS. 2 Nobys Fingal. Tall substantial dog with pleasing head and expression, nice ears, strong neck good shoulder, deep brisket with good spring of rib, good coat, great length from hip to hock. Moved well in profile. 3 Saintvalery Dazzler.

PB (1) 1 Claonaiglen Shira. Lovely young dark 7 month old puppy, dark eye with a good crisp coat, all curves, Not overly big but with good width and plenty of bone. A little overawed by I believe her first appearance in the ring, Made me smile, hope she grows on well. BP.

PGB (5) A strong class, with some nice bitches. Difficult decision between the first two. 1 Beardswood Minna. Feminine bitch well balanced, good head and expression and neat folded ears. Good spring of rib and tight well knuckled feet. Good coat. A little upright in pastern. Movement pleasing in profile with good extension and true coming and going. Well handled. 2 Claonaiglen Orrin. Dark substantial bitch but with no coarseness, nice head, dark eye, good folded ears, plenty of bone, harsh correct coat, good width and spring of rib, good rear angulation and topline, correct feet. Just lost out to 1 on the move, liked her very much. 3 Bryony Rose.

OB (3) 1 Neroche Halistra. A most attractive light grey feminine bitch of good overall construction, which showed in the way she just stood naturally. Good width strong bladed bone, Good lay of shoulder, and spring of rib. Good bend of stifle leading low set hocks and good feet. Feminine head with a pleasing expression and good ears. Coat correct and in good condition. The best mover of the day. Was pleased to award her BOB. 2 Modhish Lilly Langtree. Dark well bodied quality bitch, different type to winner but a quality hound, Dark eye good head well laid shoulder strong bladed bone, tidy feet, plenty of width, good topline. Moved with drive and lost to the winner by the closest of margins. Reserve Best Bitch. 4 Saintvalery Anticipation

M J Peach