Following last week’s Official Trialstakes, the first round proper of the Bet365 Challenge Cup gets underway at Oxford tonight.
Heat one is arguably the weakest of the four – the shortest priced ante post runner is Havana Top Note at 20-1. But it could also be said to be the most competitive with four of the field priced between 20-28/1 ante post. On last week’s running, Liz McNair’s runner is the one to beat. He was last early, found trouble at the first bend but ran on for a (well beaten) second the fastest time of the night. The Hunt Cup third is taking a step down in class, can secure a reasonable run early and won’t be easily overtaken. But the column on the extreme right of the formcard can be very misleading. Longacres Nutty lost at least eight lengths in running, while Mad For Sterling was almost brought to a standstill at the first bend. Can they avoid each other though? As for Droopys Creative, a repeat of that October 20 line of form would lead to a similar time and race comment. 1-3-4
Heat two could not be more different in its make-up with the top three in the ante post betting all in opposition. If this race was over 500 metres at Towcester, New Destiny would probably start favourite and on the basis of her looking every inch a stayer last Friday, she is impossible to oppose. A sub-15.10 sectional should see her go clear on the inside and it is difficult to imagine her being reeled in. Hunt Cup winner Havana Lover is a fabulous bitch and coming back into form. Liz McNair’s bitch clocked 39.41 over course and distance but is running at least 60 metres short of her optimum. Ela Maestro is the other obvious player in here and will pounce on any mistake from the top two in the market. 2-6-3
Heat three promies a tremendous buckle between red and blue. Lively Lauren has five wins in eight races over course and distance having twice set the track record. She is a Brighton Belle runner-up and Puppy Collar finalist over the 450m course. She is the selection based on her class and consistency – but also on the draw. Had the inside two boxes been reversed, Aayamza Sydney would be tipped. John Mullins’ 37 kilo hound is showing steady progress and looks better suited to this trip than Crayford where he missed his break in the Gold Collar Final having given Laughil Jess the fright of her life in the semis. It isn’t the odds that make King Ezra the tricast choice, but a career than has seen him reach four Cat One finals and finishing runner-up to kennelmate Lover in the Hunt Cup. 1-2-3
Heat four features a six-time Category One finalist in Minnie Bullet – the sole success being in last year’s Puppy Oaks. She is the third runner Gold Collar finalist and fourth Hunt Cup finalist taking part tonight. There is no Havana Lover in this race and no reason why Minnie Bullet cannot lead from trap to line. There isn’t much between the rest. Gutsy Jet has shown odd glimpses of decent ability, albeit his overall career record is ‘okay’. Queen Pink is the least fancied of the KSS runners but looks well drawn to run on to qualify. 2-3-1
Fears of a possible substandard entry for the PGR All England Cup were put aside ot the final preparation for many of the runners on Thursday night.
There was plenty of interest in the two Trialstakes where Tom Heilbron’s new import Bogger Rambo produced a satisfactory winning debut, followed 18 minutes later by the defending Performer of the Week Wraysbury Diva who extended her winning sequence to four.
Their 29.09 and 29.29 times were recorded on -50 going, though it is worth noting that the night’s A1 was won by Bramble Majestic in 29.15 (-50) and an A3 went to Swift Office in 29.12 (-40)
The pre-race trial session was even more illuminating Brookside Richie producing the fastest run on the night but with Harry Burton’s ARC Classic winner Jonny Whiskers just two spots slower.
Maggie, Toby and Ian
Readers will recall our recent story of the retirement from stud duties of the brilliant five-time Category One winner King Turbo.
After leaving Richard Devenish’s kennel, ‘Toby’ was rehomed through the Barley Greyhound Sanctuary to Ian and Helen Rose in Essex, along with their greyhound girl, Maggie.
Lisa Samson said: “We were recently asked if we could help find him the loving home he deserved to retire properly and put his feet up . So he’s been neutered and has found himself the perfect home with lan and Helen who already have beautiful girl, Maggie, at home, who they adopted from us six years ago.
“They sadly lost their beloved old boy Pilot recently so have opened their hearts to have Toby. He’s been in foster with them for a couple of weeks where he settled in at home instantly so today they’ve officially adopted him . We are so pleased that we were able to help find this beautiful gentle, loving boy his forever sofa.”
