A successful pen proved decisive on the trial field for the second week on the trot and this time it was Andy Carnegie’s Suus that took the lead over a closely packed list at Milton with a near faultless pen.

Strong Mule gimmers behaved well on the big, rising course but their reluctance to be penned put paid to the hopes of several erstwhile leaders.

Suus (E Groot’s Preseli Roy, J Roos’ Bess) got off to a good start with excellent work outbye and a good drive where letting the gimmers stop twice to graze on the course proved to be her only weakness. At the pen, one gimmer slipped aside from the packet and had to be brought in but it was not a break for freedom and the gate was soon shut on four sheep. There was indecision from man and dog at the shed, but once it was made, Suus took first place.

Ross Henderson’s Lad (J Hill’s Priory Kep and Mollie) ran out and landed tight on his sheep, which affected his lift, but he made a clean fetch and worked well on the drive, until he made a wide turn through the cross drive gate. A clean pen and a good shed completed the work in second place.

Neil Gillon’s Boss (S Perellio’s Murgia Jim, R Hutchinson’s Denwyn Moya) overshot his sheep at the top, but he was out of Neil’s sight here and by the time he saw him, the sheep had already moved. Neil and Boss soon sorted that out and Boss worked well from there and had an excellent drive. The shed was going well until one gimmer of the target pair moved off in reaction to Neil and Boss was left with a single gimmer and third place.

Cross Texel and Mule gimmers were hard to pen to Kildonan trial at Brodick, and all the more so after a break for lunch.

A clean start and the best pen and shed of the day gave Stuart Davidson’s Maid (B Strachan’s Sam, JC MacLachlan’s Sheila) first place

Craig Davidson’s Kyle (C Davidson’s Cap, R Harris’ Phyll) and Kenny Donald’s Bill (A Price’s Chip, D McMullan’s Kate) had similar and equally pointed runs, although Kyle had the better drive and Bill the best shed of the day. Kyle’s better work outbye gave him the edge over Bill and put him into second place, with Bill in third.

The previous week at Badanloch, sheep secured inside the pen proved decisive in Seumas Campbell and Queen achieving victory where the Cheviot gimmers ran well on an undulating course but tested dogs at the pen.

Queen (RJ Hutchinson’s Jock, I Wilkie’s Floss) stopped slightly short on her outrun, responded to the corrective whistle and made a good fetch and drive until one gimmer slipped by the cross drive gate. Good work brought its own reward at the pen, and when the shed was made, Queen took first place.

A flowing run with a clean finish from Alastair Mundell’s Rob had the edge over the field at Walkerburn.

The Mule gimmers were light on their feet over a big course, and tended to bolt from the post on the first leg of the drive.

Rob (DJ Irvine’s Bob, TE McNeill’s Jess) put his sheep smoothly round the course with minor wavers of line on the drive and clean work at hand completed his winning run.

Leading Awards

Milton, Galston (Judge: A Stewart, Lockerbie). Open – 65 ran – 1, AD Carnegie’s Suus, Comrie, 93; 2, R Henderson’s Lad, Gifford, 92; 3, N Gillon’s Boss, Barr, 91; 4, C Armstrong’s Emma, Archbank, 89; 5, IM Brownlie's Lark, Dunbar, 88; 6, W Welsh’s Jet, Dalcairney,86.

Kildonan, Arran (Judge: I Landsborough, Dailly). Open – 39 ran – 1, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank,73; 2, C Davidson’s Kyle, Sandbank, 71 outbye; 3, K Donald’s Bill, Dalrymple, 71; 4, I McConnell’s Joe, Lamlash, 66; 5, JC MacLachlan's Bob, Spean Bridge, 65; 6, J Howatson, Peat, West Kilbride, 69; 7, K Donald’s Caddy, Dalrymple, 59; 8, R Reid’s Lynn, Carnwath, 55. Local – 1, I McConnell’s Joe, Lamlash, 66; 2, I McConnell’s Fly, Lamlash, 53; 3, I Logan’s Bute, Pirnmill, 46.

Walkerburn (Judge: AB Mundell, Moffat). Open – 56 ran – 1, AR Mundell’s Rob, Moffat, 93; 2, D McMullen’s Eve, Glenarm, 92; 3, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 91; 4, S Morgan's Moss, Heriot, 87; 5, D Robertson’s Moss, Langholm, 85 outbye; 6, S Morgan’s Vann Queen, Heriot, 85 outbye; 6, N Campbell’s Gwen, Kinross, 95.

Badanloch (Judge: MC Shearer, Westfield). Open – 51 ran – 1, S Campbell’s Queen, Uig, 92; 2, L Ronaldson’s Bob, Wick, 90; 3, N Reittu’s Lorn, Glenesk, 87; 4, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 86; 5, P Martin’s Ivy, Glenlyon, 83; 6, S Martin’s Cherry, Cashlie, 77.

Lieuray (Judge: J MacKenzie, Alyth). Open – 45 ran – 1, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 88; 2, MC Shearer’s Viking Cap, Westfield, 86; 3, MC Shearer’s Heilan Rab, Westfield, 85; 4, I Sutherland’s Cap, Strathnaver, 82; 5, MC Shearer’s Mirk, Westfield, 81; 6, V Shearer’s Viking Misty, Westfield, 74. £480 raised for 2024 Scottish National trial.