BALLYMAC MADGIE heads into Saturday’s final of the bet365 Hunt Cup at Oxford as the fastest semi-final winner as Shaun Gresham’s runner produced an exhibition of front-running to land the spoils in the weekend’s semi-finals.

However, despite winning by almost eight lengths from fastest heat winner Hogans Hawk (Seamus Cahill) in a fast 39.27sec (-15), the well-bred July 2022 daughter of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Arminta is still not favourite with the sponsors for the £10,000 prize. That honour still goes to Hogans Hawk, as bet365’s Pat Cooney explained.

He said: “It was a great effort from Ballymac Madgie and, of course, she has every chance, but we reckon Hogans Hawk did enough when winning the heats to think she should top the market, especially given the draw – and she has been supported.

“And it could help make for a good weekend for that litter.

“Proper Heiress is a brother and he’s running in the (Time Greyhound Nutrition) Juvenile at Towcester on Sunday so it could be the first leg of a famous double, albeit we know things are never as easy of that! Both the Oxford and Towcester races are really competitive and make for a great weekend ahead along with the (Arc) Laurels final.

“In fact I understand the Gone To The Dogs – Live! show on Saturday is looking to show the Hunt Cup final at some point during the broadcast from Perry Barr, which is good news. It’s a busy weekend once again in greyhound racing and Perry Barr’s is another top final – and difficult to call as well!”

Burrows Eclipse and Beloved Brenda ensured Jason Heath will also have a busy weekend as both made it through to the Oxford final.

Heath’s Burrows Charm lines up the final of the BetGoodwin and JR Racing Syndicate Maiden Derby at Towcester on Sunday after winning his semi-final on Sunday, while the night before both Burrows Charm and Beloved Brenda eye bet365 Hunt Cup at Oxford after coming through their respective semi-finals.

First up was Burrows Eclipse who was quickly into stride in the second semi, the May 2022 son of Pat C Sabbath and Highview Jayne always dominating thereafter for a length success from the running-on Millridge Tanic (Chris Fereday) in 39.65sec for the 650m.

The final two places in the £10,000-to-the-winner Category One were secured by David Lewis’s TV Trophy runner-up Alright Patricia who continued her fine run with another gutsy effort, the October 2021 daughter of Out Of Range ASB and Beaming Brae grabbing Heath’s longtime leader Beloved Brenda close home.

The winning time in that third semi-final was 39.79sec (-15).

Trap draw for Saturday’s bet365 Hunt Cup Final: 1 Hogans Hawk, 2 Beloved Brenda, 3 Ballymac Madgie, 4 Burrows Eclipse (w), 5 Alright Patricia (w), 6 Millridge Tanic (w).