A lovely entry of mainly well-presented and clean dogs. I found no bad mouths so an improvement on my last appointment, but I was again disappointed in the heads of many, otherwise, good dogs. They were too heavy and lacking the true Irish Setter expression. However, I did manage to find enough with the correct heads to fill most of the class placings.

MP (6-0) 1^st Milligan-Bott & Bott’s Thendara Pot Noodle. Delightful puppy, typical of his breeding, nice expression, well-developed forehand with pronounced sternum and good depth for age, well-balanced body, wide hindquarters with decent length from hip to hock, moved as a puppy should. BPD. 2^nd Pollard & Cook’s Grayrigge Benedict, similar to 1 in shape but out of a smaller mould, again he is well-developed in front, gently sloping topline with correct croup and tailset, really lovely head, just preferred 1^st in style and character. 3^rd Richardson’s Kirkavagh Hernando, substantial puppy, pleasing head, good neck, topline and croup, nice depth to body, excellent hindquarters. Just failed a little in front angulation to the winner’s.

PD (5-0) 1^st Stocker’s Kirkavagh Xacala, 4^th in the strong MP class, immature at present and needs to develop more in front . He has a gorgeous head, a decent neck into well-laid back shoulders, correct topline and good well-angulated hindquarters. He moved steadily, just needs time. 2^nd Evers Swindell’s Talharon Touch the Stars, nice outline on this one, good in shoulders, topline and hindquarters, moved well. Just preferred the lovely head of 1^st . 3^rd Prangle’s Heathclare Moet Magic, very substantial for age, the best of forehand construction, well made throughout, moved well, Just a bit too much for me today.

V (3-2) 1^st Rose-Hay & Gaul’s Cataluna Nickle & Dime, 11 years old and moved like a dog half his age using his tail all the time. Head and expression typical of his breeding, well made throughout. Alone but deserved his win.

J (9-1) 1^st Humphries & Oliver’s Henaleas Uptown Flirt at Bramstorm Surprised myself here, I didn’t think I liked this dog! Just goes to show you shouldn’t form an opinion on a dog until you’ve gone over it. Most lovely head and expression, really good forehand with good depth of chest for age, nice width to hindquarters which are well angulated. Sound mover, all topped off with a delicious rich dark coat, one for the future I feel. 2^nd Smith’s Reddins Keifer by the same sire as 1^st but totally different being smaller and perhaps more elegant, good head and expression, correct angulation fore and aft, moved well. 3^rd Gardiner’s Blaysdell Kieran, another lovely headed boy to complete a trio of quality dogs, well made throughout with good width to second thigh which was lacking in some, neat hocks which enabled him to move correctly.

Y (9-0) 1^st Gisby & Pike’s Suteresett Milky Way with Scarletti JW well-known dog who has the most beautiful head and expression, really well constructed throughout and a sound mover. In-between coats at present, when he gets his furnishings he will trouble the best. 2^nd Pullen & Atkin’s Harvancourt Harlem at Jacingail Another beautiful dog of similar type and style, I see they have the same sire. More finished than 1^st with the coat and furnishings, again has all the essentials, moved well Just preferred 1^st in head and tail carriage, a close decision. 3^rd Williamson’s Kirwilldale Chaska Giving away a lot in age here. Well made dog with a rugged outline, good head and expression, correct angulation fore and aft. Moved soundly.
Three lovely dogs.

M (7-3) 1^st H. Uptown Flirt at Bramstorm. 2^nd K. Chaska. 3^rd Torpy’s Follidown Meadow Pipit Well grown youngster, pleasing head, nice expression, good layback of shoulder but could do with a better return of upper arm, good in hindquarters, steady mover.

N (7-2) 1-2-3 repeat.

UG (8-0) 1^st H. Uptown Flirt at Bramstorm 2^nd Bell’s Balintyne the Continental Elegant dog who excels on the move where he shows his true balance and soundness. He has a pleasant head with a soft expression and is correct in most departments. Just preferred 1^st in depth of chest. 3^rd K. Chaska.

G (11-1) 1^st Ciechonska’s Coppers Champagne on Ice at Aoibheanne JW, medium-sized dog with the true Irish head and expression. Excellent forehand and depth, good length to body and well-angulated hindquarters, correct tailset and carriage. Handler needs to develop longer legs to keep up with him on the move, he is a long striding dog who really needs more space in which to show off his sound movement. 2^nd Stubbs’ Riverbrue Zeus JW Another really good dog, different in type to 1^st . When his handler gets it right he has a lovely outline with correct angulation fore and aft. He owns a very nice head with a quizzical expression, reachy neck set on good shoulders. Not quite so good in croup as 1^st but his tail carriage is correct on the move. 3^rd Legge’s Maescartref Tennessee Mood New one to me, smallish compact dog with a good head and decent angulation front and back gently sloping topline and correct croup, moved and handled well.

PG (15-1) 1^st Eden & Crockers Meadway Morrisey Gorgeous dog who oozes quality. Beautiful head with quizzical expression, excellent shoulders and the best of forehands, good depth to his mature body, slightly sloping topline leading to good croup and tailset. Strong well-formed hindquarters with short rear pasterns. Gorgeous dark coat. Excelled with his sound driving movement, presented and handled to perfection. CC & BIS. 2^nd Chorley-Newton & Chorley’s Kerryfair Snowfox Unlucky to meet the winner. Medium-sized dog with a lovely head and soft expression. Good through neck and shoulders with correct topline and tailset. Nicely angulated hindquarters, moved soundly. 3^rd Gladwish’s Glenlaine the Best Man another lovely dog with a good head although I would prefer more depth to his muzzle, sound in all departments and a good mover .

ML (7-1) 1^st Wick’s Riquitta Motivator Lovely outline on this one. Good head in profile, correct shoulder placement, well-balanced fore and aft. Strong wide hindquarters with plenty of stifle angulation, short rear pasterns which enabled him to move well. 2^nd Milligan-Bott & Bott’s Thendara Kramer Eyecatching dog who did his best to throw this place away, “ uncooperative “ his handler says, I can sympathise! However, I saw through his antics and found a very sound dog under that beautiful coat. He has all the essentials including a good front assembly and strong hindquarters with a good bend of stifle. To be critical I would prefer a less sloping croup. He moved well with a better tail carriage than 1^st. 3^rd Partridge’s Kerrydown My Guy JW SH CM Another with an eyecatching outline. Lovely head and eye, good front with a prominent sternum and decent return of upper arm. Well ribbed back, well angled hindquarters. Moved well. Just preferred the above for layback of shoulder.

L (10-2) 1^st Hunter & Browns Shenanagin Scholar with Braidmount JW Strongly-built dog, pleasing head, very good forehand. Mature body with wide well angulated hindquarters. Well off for bone and substance. Moved well as did all three in this class. I was nit-picking. 2^nd Mugford’s Coppers Undercover at Lynwood JW Smaller compact dog with an attractive head and expression. Enough angulation fore and aft with a decent sternum, correct slightly sloping topline and good tail carriage. 3^rd Rodda’s Teramour Going for Gold Bigger dog with an elegant outline. I preferred his head to those above, he has many good points to consider including good angulation front and back. Well handled.

O (8-4) A disappointing class 1^st McClarnon’s SH CH & IR SH CH Northamber Just Cause for Glenavna JW Easy winner here for his performance type and quality. Most lovely head and eye, excellent front, best of legs and feet, deep mature body, correct sloping topline with a good bend of stifle and short rear pasterns topped off with a glamorous well-presented coat. Moved with style and drive. RCC. Just preferred CC winner in shoulder. 2^nd Rorke’s Cataluna Captivatione to Zakhan Different in type to 1^st being shorter on the leg and more compact. Head is typical of his breeding, good in shoulder and front assembly, decent hindquarters. Moved soundly. 3^rd Child’s Brenrue Outlander SH CM A different style again to those above. Pleasant head and eye, good forehand but not the topline or croup I was looking for. Moved ok.

SPB (4 -0) 1^st G. the Best Man. 2^nd Cooper’s Karadell Captivation for Hugared Well-made boy with a lovely head and expression. Correct angulation fore and aft, gently sloping topline leading to a decent croup and tailset. Moved ok. 3^rd Cooper’s Shenanagin Sailing Home to Hugared Immature dog whose rear needs to catch up with his front, it will come eventually. Suffice to say he has most of the essentials and is very sound, just needs a bit more time. Well handled .

Alan Vanderbilt Memorial Class (3 -1) 1^st K. My Guy. 2^nd Mitchells Polmennor Bonfire Slightly built dog, well presented and handled. Attractive head and expression, moved ok . Just not masculine enough for me.