When GRA opted to close Oxford Stadium in December 2012, it seemed that one of the great races in the Calendar, the Pall Mall, would be lost forever.
The event was originally owned by GRA and first staged at Harringay Stadium in 1935. It was the ‘Harringay’s Derby’ but when White City switched from 525 yards to a decimal 500 metres for the Derby, the Pall Mall remained the big test for the elite 525 yard runners.
It might not have had the prestige of the West London premier event, but there would be a decent argument to suggest that the Pall Mall Roll Of Honour was every bit as good.
Of course, it included some of the great Derby winners: Mile Bush Pride, Pigalle Wonder, Mondays News and Rushton Mac.
But after the Wood Lane switch, the Pall Mall champions included many hounds more noted for their early pace – a cross between the Scurry and Derby competitors: so we had the likes of Gin & Jass, Ballinderry Moth, Greenfield Fox, Sampsons Pal, Hongkong Mike and Yankee Express to name but six.
The Derby dogs were still there of course, Tico won both, Game Ball won at Harringay but missed out at White City.
When Harringay closed, the event switched to Oxford, at that stage owned by Northern Sports.
The new distance was 450 metres which took it even further into traditional Scurry territory – as it became a two bend competition.
For no apparent reason, the first two Oxford finals, 1988/89, went to the only double winner of the event, Fearless Ace.
The term ‘Pall Mall type’ was now established as a term to describe a particular type of early paced 450 metre greyhound. The Roll Of Hounour would be extended to include such champions as: Sullane Castle, Night Trooper, El Boss, Lassa Java, Tims Crow and Kinda Magic.
When Kevin Boothby announced he would re-open Oxford Stadium, he also pledged to bring back the Pall Mall.
He was true to his word.
It matters – because this is more than just a race to suit a particular type of champion. It is history. And since 1989 it has been part of Oxford’s history.
Oxfordshire-based Derby winning trainer Kevin Hutton has two chances of landing the Stadium Bookmakers sponsored final.
The Burford handler sends out his BGBF Puppy Cup winner Moments of Magic and two-year-old blue dog Coppice Tenzin in the £20,000 feature event, due off at 8.52pm.
Coppice Tenzin – pic Fortitude Communications
Owing to the Pall Mall’s 11-year absence, Hutton – a four-times Trainers’ Championship winner – has never reached his local Category One final.
He said: “We were just starting out and trying to make a name for ourselves when the Pall Mall last took place before Oxford Stadium initially closed,” said Kevin. “We’ve since built our kennel strength up and it’s fantastic to be involved in the final.”
Moments of Magic would be a particularly poignant winner for Hutton and his team given the BGBF Puppy Cup champion was homebred out of Forest Natalee by star sire Magical Bale.
She has won 11 of her 41 runs to date and dead heated in the inaugural Category Three Oxford Stadium Ladies Final in June with kennelmate Churchtown Annie.
Coppice Tenzin meanwhile was purchased from Ireland and only made his debut in May at A3 grade having been nursed back to health from a stress fracture.
Hutton added: “Moments of Magic has been a real superstar for us. The trip is probably on the shorter side of what is ideal for her, but she’s taken to the Oxford track really well.
“She had her season earlier this year and her trial times on the comeback meant we ran her in a couple of opens which led to her Pall Mall entry, which has worked out nicely. We’ve had to be patient with Coppice Tenzin but he’s really motored through the grades in recent weeks.
“To go from A3 to a Category One final in two months is a great achievement. It would be great for a winner to be trained locally but of course we wish connections of all finalists the best of luck.”
Moments Of Magic – pic Fortitude Communications
Matt Dartnall’s Ivanexile is contesting his fourth Cat One Final having run third in the Juvenile Classic last August before landing the Birmingham Cup at Perry Barr.
By his standards, he had a very disappointing start of the year. Although he reached the Laurels decider, he produced three workmanlike performances on his way to finishing the last of five in the final, some eight lengths behind Hawkfield Ozark who he renews acquaintances with.
In more recent weeks, the ‘old’ Ivanexile has started to reappear and he has four wins and three seconds in his last seven outings at Cowley.
Matt said: “You can forget the Laurels form. He just wasn’t himself at all. His coat was wrong, his bloods were wrong. He was just not himself. We completely changed his diet
“He has been running much better but he is still well up against it with Links Maverick who has been running out of his skin.
“We would need him to miss his break and us to get ours, and lead him up. Though in all honesty, he hasn’t been coming away as well from the Oxford traps as he does at Perry Barr.”
Ivanexile – Pic Paul Blake/Alamy Live News
Swindon raider Eze is the youngest in the field and was only six spots behind Links Maverick in the semi finals.
He was slow to come to hand with just one win in his first eleven races but seems to have taken well to Oxford.
Bob Baker, speaking for trainer Angie Kibble said: “It looks to be a very decent race but if Links Maverick does it right, he has to be the one to beat. He hasn’t put a foot wrong so far and has six spots in hand on the clock.
“Eze is actually capable of a faster break than he has shown so far. Early in his career, we trialled him Monmore against a couple of Kevin Hutton’s good sprinters and he flew.
“But he had a bad experience at Oxford when the old traps were playing up. One night he got caught up in them and I think it affected his confidence. He is showing a lot of pace in his races, but it would be great to see him trapping again.”
Eze – Pic Paul Blake/Alamy Live News
Patrick Janssens sends out Laurels winner Hawkfield Ozark who will wear the same red jacket in which he prevailed at Perry Barr. His €20K Irish Sprint Cup success was achieved in the white jacket. His trainer would probably have favoured trap two but is perfectly content with the slot on the rail.
He said: “The first thing you have to say is that it is a very, very good field. Tom’s dog (Links Maverick) has been running exceptionally well and is the obvious one to beat. Eze is another very decent dog too. But you could easily make a claim for all six.
“Ozark didn’t come away last week, Maverick did, and he was able to bully us once he got in front. If we break level, I think Ozark can match him to the bend and if he does, we might be able to bully him. But that is easier said than done of course.
“I just wanted to add that it is brilliant to get a competition of the calibre of Pall Mall back in the Calendar. We desperately need this type of event, and I am grateful to the local bookies for sponsoring it.”
Hawkfield Ozark – Pic: © Steve Nash
For Tom Heilbron, this is the biggest week of his training career and he admits to feeling the pressure of handling hot favourite Links Maverick
By any standards, Maverick’s career of 15 wins from 18 races is exceptional. He won the Northern Puppy Derby at home track Newcastle but was picked up and beaten by three quarters of a length in the 480m Ladbrokes Puppy Derby at Monmore. He is the current course and distance track record holder.
Tom said: “To a certain extent I blame myself for Monmore. I am always a bit concerned about not doing too much with an early paced dog like him. But I got that wrong. I have learned that he absolutely thrives on work.
“I think he has also got stronger anyway, and isn’t fading like before. Put it this way, I would be very disappointed if he led and got picked up.
“It is all about the break and getting clear. My biggest concern is being chopped off by Hawkfield Ozark at the first bend. If we both go around together, I would fancy Maverick to finish the stronger. But we will see.
“He is a good as I can possibly get him and I’m looking forward to the race.”
Links Maverick- Pic Paul Blake/Alamy Live News.
Tickets for the 2023 Stadium Bookmakers Pall Mall Grand Final remain on sale and available to purchase via the Oxford Stadium website from £10, or they can be bought on the door. Gates open at 6pm with the first race due off at 7pm.
