The Hunt starts tonight
This is the second Bet365 Hunt Cup to be staged at Oxford. Last year’s decider resulted in a tricast for the KSS Syndicate with Havana Lover leading home King Ezra and Havana Top Note.
We would hope to get feedback from more of the kennels as the competition progresses.
But while interviewing Rab McNair about Saturday’s Kent Plate decider, it seemed too good an opportunity to pass up not to enquire about the kennel’s three runners this year – the second, third and fourth in the ante post betting. Greyhound of the Year Droopys Clue is the 11/4 favourite.
An intriguing opening heat with the principles in 2-4-6. Tuono Bella is a Golden Jacket finalist who recorded an excellent clock on her first look at the track. Coppice Warrior finished third in last year’s Juvenile Classic and has flattered to deceive at Oxford. His four bend form is excellent, he stays the trip, but seldom seems to put the two together. Maybe tonight is his night. At 7/2 he looks decent value. The heavyweight Laurels finalist Hurry Up Jordan ran a cracker in the Queen Mother Cup but would need to step up on his trial.
Betting: 11/8 Hurry Up Jordan, Tuono Bella, 7/2 Coppice Warrior, 6/1 Carols Hero, 25/1 Pepper Pot
At 6/5 Queen Pink is the nap of the night in a modeerate heat. She will surely start at odds-on? A four-time Category One finalist from 400-874m, she would be the star in many other kennels. She loves the track and looks set for a clear run on the fails. Ballymac Diana looks the obvious danger but has several lengths to find on the clock.
Betting: 6/5 Queen Pink, 13/8 Ballymac Diana, 4/1 Senahel Picacu, 10/1 Hitthelids Stevo, 14/1 Flyers Pompei, Silverspring Ria
Perhaps the most competivie heat of the night – the ante post prices would certainly suggest as much. There will be local support for Move Over Ogie. The 28.94 Towester form would make Golden Palace a player, though his overall career record doesn’t match that. Beatties Electra didn’t really perform on her last two visits but has hit decent form back at Monmore since and in a race where others would want further, and she has the early to dominate, the 10/3 looks decent value.
Betting: 15/8 Move Over Ogie, 5/2 Golden Palace, 10/3 Aayamza Dancer, Beatties Electra, 11/2 Antons Maggie, 14/1 Arthur Chicken
The top two in the ante post betting meet in heat four. Droopys Clue didn’t come away in his usual fashion last time out but the 29.52 trial at Hove is the best barometer yet as to how he has returned from a winter break and is perfectly drawn. Havana Top Note – third in last year’s final – would probably start favourite in any other field of six dogs over course and distance, but the track record holder is unlikely to dominate early here. Probably an even money straight forecast.
Betting: 4/6 Droopys Clue, 7/4 Havana Top Note, 7/1 Gutsy Jet, 14/1 Billis Wizard, Dubai Kid, 20/1 She Loves You
Droopys Creative is a former (39.47) record holder for this distance though her record is only 4:12 over it. Not sure the 5/6 represents value, but difficult to oppose her if she gets a decent run. The value is probably 11/2 chance Fifty Nine, though he would need to produce one of his sub15.10 sectionals to be a player.
Betting: 5/6 Droopys Creative, 9/2 Quivers Tess, 9/2 Ruspers Dream, 5/1 Lokis Deception, 11/2 Fifty Nine, 20/1 Arthur Cider
The ante post betting looks a decent guide here in one of the weaker races of the night. If you are comparing the two British breds, King Ezra (runner-up last year) and Savana Top Cat, the former has the edge, both at Oxford and at Monmore (630).
Betting: 4/5 King Ezra, 7/4 Savana Top Cat, 13/2 Coppice Dylan, 9/1 Chosen Maggie, 10/1 Jurassic Lady, 33/1 Mustang Dilemma
OPENS
Saturday: Central Park ♦ Doncaster ♦ Monmore ♦ Yarmouth
