LINKS MAVERICK heads into Saturday’s Stadium Bookmakers Pall Mall Final as the only unbeaten runner after another hugely impressive effort in the first semi-final at the Cowley track on Saturday.

The Tom Heilbron-trained track record holder started better than market rival Hawkfield Ozark (Patrick Janssens) and dominated thereafter, winning by five and a quarter lengths from the Laurels champion, with Coppice Tenzin (Kevin Hutton) claiming the third qualifying place for the weekend’s £20,000-to-the-winner Category One final.

The winning time for Links Maverick was 26.54sec (-10), just two spots off his track record, with his calculated time dipping under the best-yet for the 450m trip.

Angie Kibble’s Eze proved too strong for Ivanexile (Matt Dartnall) in the second semi-final. The latter set the early figures but the always-handy Swindon raider came through powerfully to score by three-quarters of a length in a fast 26.60sec (-10), with Kevin Hutton securing a second finalist courtesy of the keeping-on Moments Of Magic.

Eze, named after the Crystal Palace and England midfielder, is owned by Eagles fan Jonathan Miles, who said: “It’s great to be in a Cat One final especially being at our local track – and with a runner named after a future England superstar footballer!

“We were over the moon with his semi-final performance and are looking forward to the final. He seriously needs to brush up on his trapping if he’s to have any chance to win the Pall Mall.

“Links Maverick looks the dog to beat and, if he traps again, it will take an exceptional run to beat him.

“Many thanks to Angie and all staff at the kennels who work tirelessly to make sure the greyhounds always turn out in immaculate condition – and Saturday night will be no different! Best of luck to everyone in the final and let’s hope it’s a cracking race.”

James Chalkley, Oxford’s director of racing, is also looking forward to Saturday and is delighted the famous race has returned to the schedule.

He said: “It’s great to see the Pall Mall back at Oxford and it’s certainly lived up to its prestigious history in producing such a high-class final.

“The field consists of three Category One winners in Links Maverick, Hawkfield Ozark and Ivanexile – and Links Maverick has been dominant from the start having broken the track record on his Oxford debut in the Official Trial Stakes.

“He will have to do everything right, though, as there are some very fast dogs lining up here. Hawkfield Ozark is an obvious danger but needs to lead up on the inside, while Ivanexile, who was impressive in the first round, can be tough to beat off the front.

“Eze really enjoys Oxford and has displayed some excellent trackcraft in racking up three open-race wins here including his semi-final from off the pace. It’s also great to see local trainer Kevin Hutton doubly represented with Coppice Tenzin and Moments Of Magic – Kevin could become the first Oxford trainer to win the Pall Mall since 1992 when Tony Meek’s Deanpark Atom took first prize.

“I’d like to wish good luck to each of the six finalists lining up to take the £20,000 prize on Saturday and thank the stadium’s bookmakers for sponsoring this event.”

Form and trap draw for Saturday’s Stadium Bookmakers Pall Mall Final: https://oxford-stadium.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SAT-29TH-JULY-PALL-MALL-FINAL-ADVANCED-SHEET.pdf