Yes, it was London cocker
The dog that won was 9 months!! Very very impressive. Owner/handler well known trialler and the standard generally very high (except my friend and I who had similar issues with the hunting
). As it was all aged stake, there were open level dogs, as well as novice. But on a 'normal' test day there will usually be novice and open tests and in novice, younger less experienced dogs. There was no water test on Sunday. Sometimes they have them, sometimes not.
As for straight blinds, I'd not worry so long as you can handle her to the area. One of the judges suggested that they like to see that a dog takes direction and don't mark down for it. So in a way, a straight, direct send doesn't do you any favours. Plus, as said, only counts for 10/50. If she hunts well you're pretty much there.
Go ahead and enter one in autumn - they're good fun, nice day out and the judges are generally very helpful and supportive.