The £10,000 to the winner category one Bet365 Puppy Oaks Final takes centre stage at Towcester today and it would be a brave person to rule out any of the six finalists in what is an extremely competitive affair. Paul Matthews will be looking to claim glory with his Bubbly Bluebelle. An impressive first round winner she has finished third in both the second round and semi-final but on both occasions has shown huge pace. Nicely drawn today she is a huge danger to all with any kind of break. Victory would no doubt see huge scenes at the track as though trained in Ireland she is of course owned by the Champagne Club Syndicate who as usual will be represented in great numbers. Main danger to the chances of Bluebelle looks to be the Angie Kibble trained Ballymac Mags (Owners Mr J McKeown & Mrs M McKeown) who though beaten fair and square in the first round by her rival has since won both of her next rounds in good style. The race isn’t just between those two however with Minnies Bullet for Mark Wallis (owner Mr A T Curtin) never easy to rule out. She’s far from well-drawn against the rail as she will look to seek a pitch nearer the middle and she will need some luck in running but she has a never say die attitude and will be finishing her race off well. Similar comments apply to Belinda Green’s Selsey Bullet (owners Mr W Boyle , Mr A J Ryan & Mr T M Smith). She’s another of today’s finalists with a huge will to win and though she too will need luck in running can’t safely be ruled out. Fabulous Lynx will need to improve but in the hands of Patrick Janssens and under the ownership of David Firmager who is in such a great vein of form this year who’s to say she can’t add further competition glory to the cv. A victory would also of course be a triumph for British Breeding. Last but by no means least the second of the David Firmager owned British bred runners with Fabulous Bling lining up for another bang in form trainer in the shape of David Mullins. Bling was a shock winner of her semi-final and will once again need a flyer from a poor draw out wide in order to claim the lead she needs but that too can’t be ruled out. A terrific final that will surely please sponsors Bet365 on their return to greyhound racing sponsorship.
The afternoons action gets underway with five RPGTV Puppy Derby Trial Stakes. With the competition proper soon upon us there are sure to be plenty of clues available. Seamus Cahill’s MY GIRL BELLA (NAP) was eliminated from the Puppy Oaks at the second-round stage however has since returned to home track Hove where she won well in a terrific battle with Richard Rees Whats Up Eva. That kind of form and her previous efforts here at Towcester make her tough to beat from a nice draw in the second trial stake today at 212pm.
