A good pen from Bobby Howatson’s Graylees Chip at Ardlamont, on a day when some dogs struggled to secure their packet gave Chip the lead over several prominent entries.

The Mule gimmers were generally manageable for dogs that gave them time and space on a gently rising course, but could be difficult to pen.

Bobby and Chip ( E Gray’s Tweeddale Jamie and Blue) got off to a good start outbye and worked steadily over the course, dropping only minor points here and there, with no holes in the work and made light work of the otherwise challenging pen to take first place, ahead of a number of National team dogs and their handlers.

Big Cheviot ewes at Mey were not easily controlled on the course or at the pen, but Lynn Ronaldson’s Bob put up a good attempt.

Bob (S Jones Straid Bob, OS Thomas’ Madog Floss) worked well outbye, and although the ewes made a wide turn round Lyn’s feet, Bob squared them up and drove them round the course, albeit with wavers and bends of the lines, but he got his gates and penned his sheep. His shed was not his best, but he led the field with the best run of a difficult day.

The Texel cross gimmers at Nethybridge ran well on a big open field that spread out below the spectators, giving good viewing for all, but some packets were hard to pen.

Kenny Donald’s Bob (D Howell’s Nip, R Arimitsu’s Dewi Gwen) ran out and lifted well, but the line of the fetch wavered to an extent. His drive went well, with very little to fault it and further good work at hand set the seal on the winning run.

Tommy McPhee’s Scott had a decent outrun and lifted and fetched faultlessly. His drive was good too. He had difficulties at the pen but eventually got the sheep in and a clean shed closed the run on a positive note, to earn second place.

Kenny Donald’s Bill (A Price’s Chip, D McMullan’s Kate) ran out well and made a clean lift and fetch. The lines of the drive wavered a little and the pen was not easy, but a good shed finished the run in third place.

Leading Awards

Ardlamont (Judge: A MacDiarmid, Strachur). Open – 27 ran – 1, R Howatson’s Graylees Chip, Fairlie, 93; 2, C Toner’s Niro Mace, Drimsynie, 91; 3, SL Davidson’s Dan, Sandbank, 90; 4, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 88; 5, SL Davidson’s Hillrunner Ella, Sandbank, 81; 6, C Toner’s Lyn, Drimsynie, 80; 7, C Davidson’s Kyle, Sandbank, 79; 8, V Mathie’s Midge, Kilmaurs, 76.

Westside, Shetland (Judge: S Fraser, Cullswick). Open – 27 ran – 1, B Smith’s Lass, Dunrossness, 94; 2, D Murray’s Sweep, North Roe, 93; 3, D Murray’s Meg, North Roe, 88; 4, B Smith’s Chip (Flash), Dunrossness, 87; 5, J Ramsay’s Josie, Ollaberry, 85 Outbye; Championship – 1, B Smith’s Lass, Dunrossness, 108/110; 2, J Ramsay’s Josie, Ollaberry, 100; 3, D Murray’s Sweep, North Roe, 98; 4, R Grains’ Meg, Vidlin, 79; 5, R Farquhar’s Ace, West Burrafirth, 46. Limit – 1, R Colclough’s Reg, West Sandwick, 57 /60; 2, R Colclough’s Jill, West Sandwick, 50; 3, J Ramsay’s Lyn, Ollaberry, 46.

North circuit

Kincraig (Judge: A Cameron, Callander). Open – 19 ran – 1, T McPhee’s Scott, Wick, 93; 2, P Martin’s Ivy, Glenlyon, 92; 3, K Donald’s Bob, Dalrymple, 91; 5, I Wilkie’s Sky, Tillypronie, 88; 5, I Wilkie’s Pip, Tillypronie, 83.

Newtonmore (Judge: D Mullan, Kinross). Open – 26 ran – 1, K Donald’s Bob, Dalrymple, 74; 2, W Morrison’s Flynn, Yell, 72; 3, T McPhee’s Scott, Wick, 67; 4, F Fulford’s Nelly, Eracht, 64; 5, F Fulford’s Pip, Eracht, 60; 6, M MacNally's Ash, Invergarry ; Novice – X Ross’s Tom, Newtonmore ;

Kincraig (Judge: T McPhee, Wick ) Open – 14 ran – 1, K Donald’s Bill, Dalrymple, 92; 2, P Martin’s Ivy, Glenlyon, 85; 3, K Donald’s Bob, Dalrymple, 84; 4, D MacRitchie’s Moor Lodge Nell, Ness, 81; 5, JC MacLachlan's Queen, Spean Bridge, 74; 6, X Ross’s Tom, Newtonmore,73 outbye.

Nethybridge (Judge: H Munro, Inverness). Open – 39 ran – 1, K Donald’s Bob, Dalrymple, 91; 2, T McPhee’s Scott, Wick, 90 Outbye; 3, K Donald’s Bill, Dalrymple, 90; 4, I Wilkie’s Sky, Tillypronie, 89; 5, W Morrison’s Flynn, Yell, 88 outbye; 6, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 88. Local – 1, R Smith’s Jen, Nethybridge,74; 2, X Ross’s Tom, Newtonmore, 69; 3, K Smith’s Jill, Nethybridge, 58.

Watten (Judge: A Muir, Halkirk). Open – 40 ran – 1, MC Shearer’s Viking Cap, Westfield, 89; 2, M Sutherland’s Nan, Halkirk, 86; 3, I Wilkie’s Sky, Tillypronie, 85 outbye; 4, MC Shearer’s Heilan Rab, Westfield, 85; 5, D Aitken’s Tweeddale Viki, Peebles, 84; 6, V Shearer’s Viking Misty, Westfield, 83.

Mey (Judge: K Brehmer, New Bythe). Open – 43 ran – 1, L Ronaldson’s Bob, Wick, 86; 2, V Shearer’s Viking Misty, Westfield, 84; 3, MC Shearer’s Viking Cap, Westfield, 82; 4, I Sutherland’s Sid,Strathnaver, 75; 5, A Muir’s Tess, Halkirk, 72 outbye; 6, MC Shearer’s Heilan Rab, Westfield, 72; 7, M Sutherland’s Missy, Halkirk, 70. Parish – 1, W Cormack’s Nap, Dunnet; 2, G Cormack’s Maid, Dunnet.

Brora (Judge: A MacLean, Tain). Open – 39 ran – 1, MC Shearer’s Heilan Rab, Westfield, 93; 2, MC Shearer’s Viking Cap, Westfield, 89; 3, I Sutherland’s Cap, Strathnaver, 86; 4, J Grant’s Lad, Dunbeath, 80 Outbye; 5, L Ronaldson’s Bob, Wick, 80; 6, K Donald’s Bob, Dalrymple, 77 outbye; 7, K Donald’s Bill, Dalrymple, 77 outbye; 8, I MacDonald’s Ben, Staffin, 77 outbye; 9, V Shearer’s Viking Misty, Westfield, 77; 10, M Sutherland’s Missy, Halkirk, 75. Local – Seven ran – 1, I Sutherland’s Sid,Strathnaver, 74; 2, N Sutherland’s Spot, Strathnaver, 51; 3, H MacKenzie’s Nap, Badanloch, 48; 4, H MacDonald’s Gin, Achentoul, 46.

Top 5 dogs from each day are placed according to their positions on the day, this is reflected in apparent anomalies in scores.

English National – (Judges: P Telfer, Haydon Bridge; R Watson, Dartmoor) 1, M Hutchinson’s Katie 345661, 191 /220 Run Off; 2, D Henderson’s Burndale Mia 367661, 184 Run off; 3, M Davidson’s Angus 346591, 160; 4=, M Longton’s Rottenbrook Max 371406, 146; 4=, H Svobodova’s Wicky 356529, 140; 4=, J Drinkwater’s Kim338389, 130; 7=, D Henderson’s Cemig Jewel 342608, 145; 7= M Longton’s Rottenbrook Rex 344996, 134; 7=, E Hawkins’ Bob 356881,127; 10=, BW Jordan’s Bozo 332536, 139; 10=, JS Howard’s Lad 343138, 133; 10=, D Purdham’s Tanhill Tag 341357, 117; 13=, AD Scrimgeour’s Sweep, 347969, 137; 13=, T Longton’s Luna ROM 381846, 130; 13=, RJ Hutchinson’s Jonah 362571, 116; Res., RJ Hutchinson’s Jim 374069, 128; Brace – 1, ACS Wilkinson’s Grace & Pip, 205; 2, N Vyas’ Kemi Lara & Pip, 199.