The Nick Colton-trained Jolly Poacher will attempt the almost impossible by landing an unprecedented three victories in a row when the brindle lines up in the heats of the £1,000-to-the-winner Blanchford Oxfordshire Gold Cup tonight.
Poacher, victor over the last two years, has been off for a while, but showed he is still on song with a couple of smart two-bend solos at Cowley.
His task looks tough however, with some class hounds in opposition.
Paddy Curtin’s Hello Dino and Liz Mcnair’s King Jaffa and Trafalgar Cup winner Spencers Lad are just three he has to worry about in the opening heat, but with Poacher in his favourite red jacket, he is sure to be the market leader.
Others fancied to go through to next week’s final are Buzz Doc and Freedom Emma, while Nick Colton also has Rebel Ace in heat three where Pams Tomjo could be prominent.
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