HAVANA TOP NOTE landed an incredible eighth Category One title for Liz and Rab McNair and the KSS Syndicate in 2023 when scoring a thrilling success in the Bet365 Challenge Cup Final at Oxford on Friday.

In a race in which probably only the winner’s kennelmate and favourite Havana Lover was the only one unable to strike a blow in the 650m contest, Havana Top Note emerged triumphant to complete a fantastic Challenge Cup campaign for the April 21 son of Eden The Kid and Mean Beauty having set a new track record (39.29sec) for the Cowley track’s six bends in the first round heats.

However, come the £10,000 final, it was outsider Gutsy Jet (Kevin Boon) who broke in front before Minnie Bullet (Mark Wallis), Lively Lauren (Matt Dartnall) and Havana Top Note all paced up, with the former, the Gold Collar runner-up, squeezing her way to the front off the second bend and piling on the pressure, albeit the eventual winner was handy in behind and began to close on the leader down the far side.

Challenging Minnie Bullet for the lead approaching the last bend, he crucially got first run on the strong-running Mad For Sterling, who was making huge ground in behind and now launch a serious challenge. Indeed, Mark Wallis’s dog closed all the way up the home straight but failed by a short-head to get to the 39.66sec (normal) winner, who was himself being rewarded for some consistent efforts – as Rab McNair confirmed.

“This dog deserves that because he’s been so consistent for us,” said McNair, “although when I saw how Havana Lover was running, I didn’t think it was our day. She just never really picked up, and I’m not sure way, but when I saw where Top Note was I think here we’re go. He never gives up, is as game as a pebble, and has been such a consistent dog for us this year.

“He’s been in a few competition finals and never let us down. He can definitely run, but someone is looking down on us at the moment. That’s three Cat Ones in a week – and we’ll go for another with King Memphis in the Olympic at Hove.

“Thanks to Pat Cooney and Bet365 – we’ve managed to take £20,000 from them this week after Queen Dusty at Towcester and now Top Note at Oxford! But seriously, it’s great sponsorship and so important for the game, so well done them to and to ‘Big Kevin’ (Boothby). The atmosphere here at Oxford is up their with the best, so well done to everyone whose made this place happen.”

Gutsy Jet took third place, just ahead of Lively Lauren, Minnie Bullet and Havana Lover with less than three lengths covering the entire field for a superb GBGB Category One finale which delighted the sponsor’s Pat Cooney.

He said: “What a thrilling race and finish – and a very worthy winner in Havana Top Note. He’s the track record holder for the distance after all and is representing a kennel which can do no wrong at the moment and is testament to their hard work.

“We had a brilliant week of sponsorship from the Puppy Oaks at Towcester to the Challenge Cup at Oxford and we look forward to more of the same next year.”