Stadium Bookmakers Hunt Cup Final day at Towcester racecourse and the main event forms the cornerstone of a full 14 race open card brimming with quality throughout.  The Hunt Cup which was won in such memorable fashion in 2021 by Peter Harnden’s superstar lady Salacres Pippy has quickly re-established itself as one of the leading six bend competitions on the circuit.  A top-class affair that will without doubt take a top-class performance in order to emerge victorious.  Mark Pierrepont previews –
Laurence Tuffin’s ROMEO SPORTSTAR (NB) has had no luck in running in recent outings but can land victory in this 500m Stadium Bookmakers Maiden Open at 157pm to get punters off to the best possible start.  There will be runners to his outside looking to claim his ground so he’ll have to be lively enough from the traps but if he is he shouldn’t have too much trouble in leading up the Mark Wallis trained Droopys Venus drawn to his inside.  That being the case Laurence Tuffin’s charge should take a lot of beating.
Kim Gooding’s SHOCKWAVE ONYX (NAP) has been in flying form around here in recent weeks and though he’ll be priced accordingly in the 500m open at 212pm he should have too much for some fair rivals.  Looking to complete a four timer he’d likely be priced an awful lot shorter on the early markets than he’s likely to be if he were trained by a ‘so called’ big name.
The main event of the day at 328pm see’s 6 of the leading stayers in the UK attempting to secure Stadium Bookmakers Hunt Cup glory and with it a winners prize of £10,000.  Liz McNair has been in sensational form in recent weeks and she will be looking to add further success with her HAVANA LOVER who will line up from trap 6 as a short odds favourite.  Lover had to battle hard to qualify through the first round but in her semi final she was simply sensational as she routed her opposition by fully 5 ½ lengths in a new track record time of 4276.  A similar break today and Lover can soon set the pace however she’s no one trick pony and will be difficult to hold should she be anywhere near in contention in the early stages.  There are dangers aplenty to the KSS Syndicate owned bitch though non least the Frank Bryce trained Baggios Champ (Owners Mr D Bryce & Mr F Bryce) who though has a little time to find on the clock is well drawn on the rail and will no doubt have been sharpened up nicely for today’s engagement.  Jason Heath’s Clongeel Ozzie will be hoping for one of his better starts to give himself and owners Mr P G Bird , Paul Ephremsen and Jason himself a leader’s chance whilst Kevin Hutton’s Roxholme Duchess owned by Hayley Keightley is improving at a rapid rate and any bunching upfront will play right into the hands of this strong performer.  Richard Ress will similarly be hoping for luck in running from his classy Amaze Me Seb who though finding one too good in a few races of late definitely has the ability to pull off victory for his owner Mr I R Lacey when it really matters.  Chelms Cub will need to do it right from the very start and hope for a little bit of crowding in behind but this second finalist for Jason Heath owned by Mr S J Eason and Mr M J Hughes is a hugely consistent sort who will give it his all.  To sim this is a competitive final but Lover is a bitch in form who hails from a kennel who themselves couldn’t be in better shape and they’ll be looking to make it two category one final victories in just 3 days after the success of Warzone Tom in the Champion Stakes Final at Romford on Friday.