Towcester stages the first two trialstakes for the Colussus Bets TV Trophy on Tuesday with proven stars taking on novice marathoners.
Division two features the return of Dorando Marathon third, Inch Forward. Stuart Buckland’s British Bred Leger winner has been back over six bends but running well and will probably start favourite.
The dark horse is Mark Wallis’ black dog Kiltrea Mike, a recent 41.40 winner for the 686m coming from last to first.
Division one features another Dorando runner Meadow – who was kept ticking over with a recent A1 win at Yarmouth – taking on dark horse Bangor Ella. Richard Baker’s bitch has not raced further than 686m but has a 41.47 trial plus a 28.23 run for the 480m.
But all will be scanning the horizon for the Queen of Marathon Racing – Roxholme Magic.
Although only two months off her fifth birthday, and unraced since March, Hayley Keightley’s bitch clocked 41.69 for the six bend course a fortnight ago and followed up with a 42.76 run for 710m at Perry Barr on Tuesday – just seven spots outside Rubys Rascal’s recent track record.
The £8,000 to winner 18 runner event, over the 906m course, gets underway on Saturday November 18 with the final on Wednesday 29th. Entries close on Tuesday November 14
