Jolly Poacher will be aiming to land his third major title in a row when he battles it out in the final of the Blanchford Gold Cup at Oxford Stadium on Saturday night.

It will take a very good hound to beat Poacher, who is unbeaten in any trial or race in England, as he bids to add to the Maiden Derby and Oxfordshire Stakes titles he won so impressively earlier in the season.

But the brindle and white will face a tough challenge from Brickfield Class and Hillcross Orion to make it six straight wins in open races.

l THE “coughing season” is upon us with several greyhounds going down with the seasonal lurgy, which is about right for this time of year and usually lasts for up to ten days.

l THERE was a mixed bag of results for Oxford trainers on the open race circuit.

Johnny Mayo’s Burwood Freddie and Burwood Inca were eliminated in the first round of the Produce Stakes at Nottingham.

Melodys Comet & Quarrymount Dubh were both eliminated in the first round of the St Leger at Wimbledon.

There was better luck for Paddy Curtin on Tuesday as he produced a double at Hall Green with wins from Steel Diamond and Boomtown Prince.

Prince’s run was a very fast 28.23 (+10), which is 20 spots off the track record.

l TONY Magnasco’s Bad Monkey was fourth in the final of the Brandon Bullet Sprint at Coventry on Wednesday.

Richard Yeates’ charge Lily Rules finished third in the semi-final of the Warwickshire Oaks also at Coventry.

l MICHAEL Peterson’s quest for the trainers’ champion title is going strong.

He is now only four winners behind leader Angie Kibble.

TONIGHT’S RUNNERS 7.35: Clonbony Mile, Russki Flyer, Seems Like Magic, Scatty Oscar, QUIVERS LEGEND, Nikitas Ramble 3.

7.50: BLUETOON HANNAH, Farloe Macho, Kilgraney Saidso, Mixababe, Pretty Dawn, Not Now Blue 3.

8.05: Elegant Mist, Fancy Mavis 3, MULLAMORE BELLA, Speedy Ali, Unlikely Stacey, Killishin Bang.

8.20: Avit 3, Sutton Gem, KILLISHIN HONDO, Wichita Joe, Deposit Box, Alfies Cracker.

8.35: SUKI GETZ, Ardmayle Pal, Shelbourne Fifi, Talog Mercedes, Hot Onthe Bunny, Ballinalee Bob 3.

8.50: Bargain Key 3, BROADACRES LILLY, Bodens Bridge, Metric Whizz, Walshie, Call Danny.

9.05: Greyfox Pennypop, Farloe Ellie, Lazy Jim, Fiddlers Frolics, QUARRYMOUNT DUBH, Tommys Girl 3.

9.20: Hycos Tiger, HILLCROSS ISIS, Mucky Cracker, Mitcheltown Blue, Canned Heat, Liskee Direct 3.

9.35: Broadacres Aoife, Broadacres Blue, Turbo Jimmy, Hey Martina, GREENFIELD MAJOR, Goldfinch Lady 3.

9.50: JOLLY POACHER, Glengar Clover, Farley Legend, Brickfield Class 3, Lazerus, Hillcross Orion.

10.05: Solid Kuyt, STOUKE TED, Notapatchonme 3, Stormy Debbie, Yukon King, Black Molly.

10.20: Unique Vintage, Steeple Rd Tara, KNOCKROUR PADDY, Gortkelly Nani, Kumala 3, Jo Jo Go.

Nap: Jolly Poacher.

GUIDE TO GOLD CUP CHALLENGERS Jolly Poacher: Unbeaten in England and once again from his favourable draw should gather another trophy for the cabinet.

Runs 5, wins 5 Glencar Clover: Has slightly disappointed recently when favourite for races.

Has good early pace and a slip from Jolly Poacher could see him take an early advantage. Runs 18, wins 4 Farley Legend: Has lots of early speed, so will need his trapping boots on to clear the inside pairing.

If he gets a decent start could he could repeat his blistering semi-final performance of 26.76.

Runs 38, wins 11.

Brickfield Class: One of the best greyhounds around the open circuit.

Won the Oxfordshire Trophy in 2007, the 2008 Oxfordshire Stakes and was runner-up in the final of the 2009 Pall Mall.

Boasts nine wins from 21 at Oxford and is overdue success around a fast 3.70 sectional, so watch out.

Runs 112, wins 56.

Lazerus: Has progressed massively up the grades and reached the third round of the Wimbledon Derby.

Has previously recorded 26.61 at Oxford in an A1 event, but trap five could be a hazard as he would have preferred a middle draw.

Runs 25, wins 6.

Hillcross Orion: Finished runner-up in the final of the Broadway Pet Foods & Fast Trap Final at Mullingar, Ireland.

Orion has pace at both ends of the race as he never knows when he is beaten recording 26.66 recently at Oxford.

As the sole wide runner could take advantage of any inside crowding.

Runs 24, wins 11.