Oxford’s Bet365 Hunt Cup will probably be remembered for issues over the 650 metre starting traps rather than the quality of the racing. Which is a huge pity.
The troublesome boxes are now consigned to the scrap heap, with thankfully no series injuries despite the disruption to racing. Tonight’s decider will be staged from traps imported from Henlow for the night, before returning to Lower Stondon on Sunday morning.
All of which has detracted from a quality decider featuring a string of quality open racers headed by Havana Lover who will be looking to correct a rare blip in her racing record – she was beaten favourite in last year’s Hunt Cup Final which was held at Towcester.
Racing Manager Simon Pearson gives his thought . . .
Simon said: “I’m not sure that one and two are the calibre of the rest of the field. Ideally Minnies Kharkiv would prefer to be in two, so I’ll go for Coolavanny Fin who should be good enough from that draw” 4-3-5
Simon said: “Very competitive this one. Outdoor Ice was running well earlier in the year but appears to have lost a bit of form. Whereas Coppice Josie seems to be coming back to her best.” 2-5-6
Simon said: “Droopys Riddle ran very well in a maiden and has since run well at Perry Barr. Russian Sammy is more of a stayer and should allow him plenty of room to get across. I think Matt’s dog will be short, but he looks very good in here.” 2-3-4
Simon said: “You can’t possibly look past Havana Lover. She seems to be coming back to her best, is the only railer and can lead or come from behind. I would expect either one or two to lead up on the inside – possibly the one. I would expect Minnie Bullet to move across leaving Lover to challenge on the outside. She is probably the strongest finisher in the line-up and it is just a matter of time. I think I was very unfair on Wota Swell Party in the past – this is her third Category One final on the track – and I can see her running on for third.” 6-1-3.
Betting: 11-8 Havana Lover, 3-1 Minnie Bullet, 7-2 Havana Top Note, 6-1 King Ezra, 20-1 Muxton Lottie, 25-1 Wota Swell Party
Simon said: “What a race this is and very difficult to call! Droopys Ambush is absolutely flying and I can’t oppose him. You would have to give Annadown King a decent chance in here too based on his last win and I would expect the three to be running on late.” 4-5-3
Simon said: “There is no way can I see past Baliff Zoraya here. I think she will be short but it isn’t the toughest of races and she looks a class apart.” 4-5-3
Simon said: “The inside three were all beaten favourites last time out, and I picked two of them last time. It is a case of ‘who will improve the most?’. I’m guessing Mustang Ojay, though I don’t think there is a lot between them.” 3-1-2
