Barnfield Joe now has the prestigious Group 1 event, the William Hill Pall Mall in his plans, after becoming the first hound to record back-to-back wins in the Blanchford Building Supplies Oxfordshire Gold Cup.

Last Saturday's 23rd running of the final was not the clean-cut affair every trainer would have wished as carnage at the first bend ruled out the likes of Oxford hope Silverduf Jet, who was knocked flying, and impeded Blackmagic Jack.

In fact, the only dog to avoid trouble was the winner, whose superior early pace after a crowded start put paid to Sportmail's nap Drink Up Zorro and Blue Bandit.

The black dog took up the running at the halfway mark to cruise home in 26.90 secs by four-and-a-quarter lengths from Zorro with Bandit third.

In fact, this time was bettered earlier by Brickfield Class in the Blanchford Newly Wed Stakes, when in winning his tenth race here from 13 starts, he recorded 26.76.

The best crowd in year - well over 1,000 - saw the Maurice Massey-trained Forest Wendy lift the £400 BGRF Sweepstake final, beating off the fast finishing Russek Manuals.

Punters got good value from the bookmakers with a highest percentage odds of 128 and lowest of 107.

In fact, some have been as low as 103 and and 104 in the past week, due in the main to new bookmaker Steve Harris, who is not averse to pushing the 'no-hoper' out to anything from 10-1 to 33-1.