HUNT CUP ATTRACTS 24 RUNNERS

HAVANA LOVER (t5 left of pic) wins the Premier Greyhound Racing Leger Final from fast finishing Savana Volcano (t6) in last week's St. Leger Final. They meet again on Sunday. Photo: © Steve Nash

The Stadium Bookmakers Hunt Cup failed to attract the 36 first round entries and will now be run as a 24-runner stake at Towcester on Sunday.

How many of the potential entries have opted for the £20K PGR Champion Stakes over 575m at Romford is questionable. However, Racing Manager Andy Lismore wasn’t too concerned by the shortfall of runners.

Though after seeing two of his boss’s runners drawn against each other, and up against recent Leger winner Havana Lover in the third qualifier, he was quick to remind everyone – including Kevin Boothby – that the draw took place at GBGB offices.

“It’s nothing to do with me, thank God! Seriously, despite being reduced in numbers, the quality can be seen in every heat. It should be a great spectacle and very competitive.

“As far as the set-up of the contest is concerned, it was originally in the Calender as being over four meetings. Now, it will be first three to qualify from heats and semis with the final brought forward by a week.”