BAGGIOS CHAMP was narrowly quickest in the heats of the Stadium Bookmakers Hunt Cup at Towcester on Sunday as Frank Bryce’s dog continued his fine run of form.

 

A Regency finalist at Hove before finishing second in the Select Stayers at Nottingham, before making the St Leger semis at Perry Barr, Baggios Champ was made hot favourite to win heat two of the 712m event.

 

Breaking smartly, the British-bred November 2019 son of Kinloch Brae and Samiya soon had the race under control, racing to a slick 16.15sec sectional before pulling steadily clear to win by seven a three-quarter lengths clear of Hazelhill Hare (Connor Smith) and Clongeel Ozzie (Jason Heath) in 43.63sec (normal).

 

The event kicked off with success for Kevin Hutton’s Roxholme Duchess in heat one as the August 2019 daughter of Droopys Cain and Ruby Valley, making it three wins from three starts in the UK since arriving from Ireland, was always handy before striking the front past halfway. 

 

Thereafter, Roxholme Duchess raced away to win by two and three-quarter lengths from Amaze Me Seb (Richard Rees) and Savana Regera (Diane Henry) in 43.78sec (normal).

 

Droopys Tess landed a surprise but deserved 40-1 victory in heat three as the Phil Barlow-trained outsider, an early leader before Cochise (Richard Rees) took up the running, came again on the run for home to score from the rival by three-quarters of a length in 44.00sec (normal). St Leger heroine Havana Lover (Liz McNair) qualified in third here.

 

The fourth and final heat saw the John Mullins-trained Callmesteve maintain his unbeaten six-bend record at Towcester with a strong-running effort to edge out long-time leader Chelms Cub (Jason Heath) by a neck after the latter had raced to a fastest-of-the-round sectional (16.11sec). Third-placed here went to Fabulous Syrah (Laurence Tuffin).

 

Disappointedly for connections of Callmesteve, the Gain Challenge Cup winner has since been withdrawn from Sunday’s semi-finals.

 

Nathan Corden, Towcester spokesman and consultant, said: “It was unfortunate to hear of Callmesteve’s withdrawal. He has a fantastic record at Towcester and it’s a real shame for connections he’ll not be here for the semis. Fingers crossed he’s back on track soon.

 

“Of course, he was one of four impressive heat winners and good qualifying performances we saw  on Sunday – which included a 40-1 winner in the shape of Phil Barlow’s Droopys Tess. Well done to her and connections for leading home the new St Leger champion Havana Lover, although I’m sure she’ll be tough to beat again in the semis.

 

“Roxholme Duchess was another to lead home a hot favourite in Amaze Me Seb in the first heat and she looks a really nice ex-Irish intake for Kevin Hutton. She now takes her place in what are two very competitive semi-finals here at the weekend – at the end of what is a very busy week for us here at Towcester.

 

“In addition to our usual schedule of meetings and trials session, there is a Greyhound Trader sale here on Wednesday with a some very exciting young lots up for auction.”

 

Trap draw and form for Sunday’s semi-finals: https://towcester-racecourse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Hunt-Cup-semis-form.pdf

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=389864&raceId=879613