The much-anticipated category one Bet365 Puppy Oaks staged over 4 x 500m rounds at Towcester racecourse culminating in a £10,000 to the winner final on Sunday 27th November gets underway this afternoon with 8 first round heats. We also see the start of the category two Gain Greyhound Nutrition Sovereign Stakes set to be staged over 3 x 270m rounds and with a Sunday 20th November final date with a winners prize of £5000. Added to the first round heats of the two main events we also see two RPGTV Puppy Derby Trial Stakes on the card which is a significant indicator to the looming presence of the competition proper which will see the first of four rounds staged on Sunday 4th December with the final set to take place two days before Christmas on Friday 23rd December and with a winners prize of £10,000. The open racing as usual at Towcester is coming thick and fast and with a variety of events and supporting races there is something for everybody. Mark Pierrepont previews the action –
Ante post price guide (correct on www.oddschecker.co.uk as of 830am 06/11/22)
Mark Wallis’s MINNIE BULLET has been somewhat unlucky in running on her last two starts here having won her previous two. She’s well drawn in heat one of the Puppy Oaks at 157pm to follow the early paced Baggios Emoski round and can give that rival a running lesson in the latter stages to come through as a comfortable winner.
Despite a missed break Seamus Cahill’s MY GIRL BELLA was immensely impressive in winning her trial stake for this competition last week. It was a really taking performance from Cahill’s youngster who looks well drawn to be in full command of this race from the first bend. She’s improving nicely and at around 20/1 in a place for the competition outright she is well worth a second look. Today’s heat can be fully in her grip by the time of the second bend.
The two ante post favourites for the competition line up against each other in heat seven at 348pm with Paul Matthews Irish raider Bubbly Bluebelle (ex – Epic Diva) and BALLYMAC MAGS for Angie Kibble lining up side by side on the inside. Preference on this occasion at least is for Mags who couldn’t have been any more impressive in her trial last week. A more than decent 415 split was recorded on the way to an overall 2972 (-40) and backed up some efforts of real promise at home venue Swindon. Matthews runner is also full of promise as highlighted by her recent 2865 novice open win around Clonmel but she might just find that Mags has stolen first run on her and if she has she’ll not be back run easily. A really interesting affair which should provide plenty of clues for the remainder of the competition.
ROMEO TOP CAT can take the first RPGTV Puppy Derby Trial Stake of the day at 428pm. He was well enough beaten behind Signet Denver in the BGBF Stud Book Trophy Final here last week but with nothing of his class in this line up he can have the race in control by halfway. The second trial stake at 448pm is an open affair with a number of poorly drawn pups in opposition and is maybe best watched for future clues.
Ante post price guide (correct on www.oddschecker.co.uk as of 830am 06/11/22)
Eric Cantillon’s pacey NEWTOWN SYDNEY is a little hit and miss at the boxes to say the least but he returns here from recent efforts at Perry Barr first time back today could be a good time to catch him. He’ll not be a big price but anything like a level start in heat one of the Sovereign Stakes at 508pm and he’ll be in full control by the bend.
Mark Wallis’s GOUGANE JET has been beaten just once on UK soil and that was after leading over 480m at Monmore. He’s been kept confined to sprinting since and comes into todays heat 3 of the Sovereign Stakes at 544pm having won his previous 9 in the sphere including the £5000 final of the category two Scurry Gold Cup at Perry Barr in a track record time last time out. He’ll be another who is short enough but should complete a memorable ten timer with the minimum of fuss.
