Scarter - just looked at your website and the pics of beagle racing look fantastic.
That reminded me of a group that get together and take their beagles drag hunting on aniseed trails. They are pet beagles that just meet up throughout the winter for a day in the countryside. Last winter I went along with my trailhound. She was invited to join in (as she took part in hound trailing races before I adopted her) and it was so funny as she outran the beagles easily and on one run, she took them round the course twice!
Maybe hollyhocks should think about finding something similar for Alfie to channel his hunting instinct?
The beagle group I followed are here...
http://www.thebeagleclub.org/working%20section.htm
and here is a report on Lotty's day outy with them!
http://www.thebeagleclub.org/micheldean_301108.htm