HAVANA LOVER led home a brilliant one-two-three for Liz McNair and the KSS Syndicate when producing arguably a career-best performance when running away with the £10,000 Bet365 Hunt Cup Final at Oxford on Friday.

A finalist last year when the event was held at sister track Towcester, the August 2020 daughter of Laughil Blake and Love Honey lined up as one of three McNair-trained finalists in the 650m feature and always looked a likely winner as the strong-running two-year-old turned second behind pace-setting kennelmate Havana Top Note.

Making her move down the far side second time, Havana Lover hit the front approaching the penultimate bend and drew quickly away to score by five lengths from running-on King Ezra, another kennelmate at the McNairs’ Kent base, who crossed the line half a length in front of Havana Top Note.

The winning time was 39.41sec, inside the track record, but not official given the race was hand-timed due to issues with the traps which had a seen a new set installed for the final.

Winner of the SportyStuff TV Puppy Cup on Derby final night last year before becoming a Classic champion when winning the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger at Perry Barr, Havana Lover is one of the biggest stars at the Ashford kennels of Liz and Rab McNair – and the trainer’s husband was delighted with the victory.

“She’s run brilliant,” said Rab McNair. “We knew she was well and was back to her best. We left her off after Oxford at the backend of the year and she only came back for the Kent Plate at Central Park. We know 500m is not her trip, but it gave her a run and set her up for six bends at Oxford.

“She’s a former track record holder and we know she runs the track well – even the time tonight was superb. She’s got a touch of class as the St Leger winner.

“I’d also like to say well done to Kevin Boothby. He made the decision to change the traps and, while I know things haven’t gone smoothly, I’m behind him what he’s trying to do and what’s he’s done already. We’ll be returning to Oxford. Don’t worry about that!”

Of the night itself, Oxford racing manager Simon Pearson said: “I think most of us greyhound folk have fond memories of the Hunt Cup from its Reading days and it’s been great to be involved in the first two runnings since it’s return to the Calendar – at Towcester last year and now at Oxford.

“Everyone’s aware of the issues we had on semi-final night but it was great to see the final night go without a hitch and we had a brilliant winner of the Bet365 Hunt Cup in Havana Lover. Well done to Liz and Rab McNair and the KSS Syndicate.

“It’s great having the Saturday nights back – the locals love it – and we’re getting some very decent crowds in.”

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=396225&raceId=931330