Thank you to my great stewards, who kept things ticking over nicely.  A few general remarks which apply to all. All temperaments as displayed in the ring were exemplary, as befits a Deerhound, although some were just not interested in showing on the day.  Coats were generally good, with very few soft coats, although some would benefit from a bit of judicious tidying-up.  All mouths were OK and all males entire.  Movement varied, as did general fitness, but it's been a hard winter so I forgave slightly slack condition in otherwise good dogs.  I was surprised and delighted to see I'd kept the tickets largely in the family.

VD (1) 1 Cunningham's Dorrator Nathaniel at Aonachdubh, cheerful 7 year old, retaining good outline.  Nice head, with aquiline nose and good furnishings, well off for bone, correct feet, good long tail  and harsh coat. In fit condition, nicely presented and sensitively handled.  Didn't stay to challenge for BV.

PD (2)  1 Marshall's Chanterfield Ghost, at ten months more mature than 2nd and better off for bone at this stage.  Also preferred his rear quarters.  Nice head and strong neck. Although he would insist on pacing, I saw enough correct movement to satisfy me.  2 Taylor's Kilbourne Woodsman to Ormanstar, very decent puppy, with a lovely head and displaying correct development for his age.  Racier type than 1; very well schooled and presented.

JD (2) 1 Morton and Morgan's Cotherstone Shot and Steel.  Just one day out of puppy, but much more mature, physically and mentally,  than 2.  Great depth, strong neck, good bone and feet and moved rather nicely, but could use a little more length - still time for this to develop.  Well-developed in body and not too big.  2 Bailey's Breesfalt Jacob, at the gangling teenager stage and very loose all over, but with the potential to develop into a nice dog.  I liked his front and head.  Once he tightens up, has his coat tidied up just a bit and learns to show himself off, he could do well; he just needs time.
GD  (2) 1 B Jacob, moved much better in this class and I preferred his front and feet to 2 Barclay's Leoch Garry, who has a nice head and is in good nick, which I do like to see.  Well presented.

PGD (2) 1 Spencer's Gentom Rough Rider, slightly too much of him for my taste, but a sound and utterly charming dog, didn't really want to play and gave his handler a hard time, but moved well enough and looks as though he would be capable of catching a deer.   Strongly made, nice outline, with good depth and excellent hind quarters.  Front feet could be tighter, but overall a very nice hound.  2 Jennings' Brylach Nobleman, lovely head and outline but very narrow all through at this stage, which adversely affected his front stance and movement.  Another year might make all the difference in his development.

LD (4)  1, DCC Barret's Stranwith Symphony, a typical strong, unexaggerated, sound Deerhound.  Not flashy, but looks as though he could do the job with relish and some ease.  Good masculine head with lovely little ears, particularly nice curve to his neck, which has the necessary strength, excellent feet, good body, and powerful hind quarters.  Nice ragged coat, not over presented.  2 and close up, Hawkins' Kwaricott Asclepius, one I've always liked from the ringside so I was pleased to find he measured up when I got my hands on him.  A lighter built dog than 1 and not quite such strong feet, but looks the part with a lovely head and neck and nice ears.  Very nicely presented and moved well, RCC.  3 Gilhooly and Morrissey's Lord Seafield of Hartvalley.

OD (4) 1 Trotman and Dockree's Regalflight Princequillo of Penherald, a good strong maturing male with the best front in this class.  I liked his head and his strong movement.  2  Hawkins' Kwaricott Archimago JW, close up to winner. A more elegant dog, displaying a lovely outline and very nice head and feet but not quite as powerful as the winner at this stage.  3 Gillie's Dorrator Gethen.

VB (2) 1, BV Jansons' Greyflax Lady of the Lake to Nixophel, what a lovely old lady!  Lovely head, ear and expression. Well-made bitch with good angulation fore and aft and lovely broad rear.  Not moving as well as in her youth, but the overall picture is still very classy.  2 Robertson's Tartraven Stac a Chaorainn, a much larger and rangier bitch who simply didn't want to know and appeared to be throwing a major sulk as only a Deerhound can.  She deigned to move very well once she got going, but her heart really wasn't in it.

PB (2, I) 1 and BP, Marshall's Chanterfield Forget Me Not, a very nice shapely puppy combining plenty of substance with that trademark Deerhound elegance.  Moved very well for her age.  Beat her brother, who was doing an impression of a wriggly caterpillar in the challenge, with plenty to spare.  Very promising pup.

JB  (4) 1 Milne and Andrews' Leoch Heather, a good workmanlike bitch in fit condition; liked her head and ears.  She moved very well, and has a good front with plenty of bone and strong feet.  Her topline is a bit exaggerated at this stage, but should settle down with maturity and her rear quarters should develop further. 2 Morton and Morgan's Cotherstone Duchenne, just one day out of puppy and the baby of the class but a very promising girl.  Very well bodied up, lovely outline and tight feet although her ears are not her fortune.  One to watch.  3 Robertson's Chuillin Camellia

GB (7) 1 Mansell and Duddell's Killoeter Pieris at Canerikie, a very elegant tall bitch who moved beautifully, with plenty of power and drive. Well-made front, with correct bend of pastern and a powerful rear end.  Needs to mature yet, and will be hard to beat when she does.  2  Milne's Gentiehun Double Trouble, smaller bitch with the best rear end in the class.  Lovely head, good feet and coat, very well presented but just not in the mood today.  3 Taylor's Kilbourne Baccarat to Ormanstar

PGB (6,1) 1 Rose's Gentiehun Mia-May, a mature bitch of good size and shape who sailed round the ring thoroughly enjoying her day out.  Profuse coat, which slightly obscures her good outline; sweet head and expression, good depth, plenty of bone and body and has a good broad rear.  2 Rose's Jacobite Rosanne to Gentiehun (imp Aus) racier bitch with nice sweeping outline but not as mature as her kennelmate.  Lovely head and expression, still to furnish up, good strong neck, reasonable front, nice feet.  Determined to enjoy herself and give her very patient handler a hard time, but did just enough to gain her place.  3 Dockree's Regalflight Kalifi of Gorsekree

LB (9, 2) 1, RCC Barret's Stranwith Morag, not a big one, but so, so typy.  Best rear end in the class, lovely head and expression, beautiful curvy outline, good feet and muscle tone and strode round the ring as though she meant business; I loved her.   2 Taylor and Peach's Brackenland Tan at Kilbourne, a lovely bitch of a different type.  A big strong girl with lovely outline and a particularly good front.  3 Finnett and Heathcote's Hyndsight Into the Mystic

OB (4) 1, CC and BOB Westall-Ives' Stranwith May, another lovely old fashioned typy Deerhound, standing over slightly more ground than her sister, which was ultimately what separated them in the challenge, otherwise the same remarks apply to both.  Lovely outline with correct feet, strong rear end and sound movement.  Nicely presented and handled to get the best out of her.  2 Finnett and Heathcote's Hyndsight Who's That Girl, very close up to winners, a big strong lassie with lots to like.  Lovely head, although ear a little low set.  Winner scored on type, topline and feet.  3 Jansons' Ch Nixophel Crystal Amethyst

Ann (Sid) Taylor