bet365 in English Puppy Oaks move to Oxford from Towcester

COMPETITION sponsor bet365 and Oxford have announced that the forthcoming English Puppy Oaks will switch to the Cowley circuit from previous home Towcester.

The news, which was confirmed to the GBGB on Tuesday morning, sees the bet365 Puppy Oaks retaining the same dates and conditions, barring a drop in trip from 500m to 450m, at Oxford as had been initially advertised by Towcester.

Worth £10,000 to the winner, heats of the Category One event will be staged on Sunday 14th December, semis a week later and the final on Sunday 28th December with entries closing on 10th December and trial stakes staged the previous weekend.

bet365 spokesman Pat Cooney explained: "We’ve agreed to transfer the bet365 Puppy Oaks from Towcester to Oxford to maintain our support of SIS.

"In addition, we feel that the 450m trip at Oxford is more suitable for young bitches than the 500m at Towcester. 

"In fact, Terry Dartnall did say this to me when our race sponsorships were drawn up over three years ago so I'd expect most trainers to be in agreement with these views, and look forward to a high-class competition.

"It will be a busy time for us at Oxford in December as we also sponsor the bet365 Challenge Cup over six bends there [final 14th December alongside the first round of the English Puppy Oaks]. We’re looking forward to sponsoring both competitions."

Richard Brankley, head of greyhound operations for SIS, said: “bet365 have been incredibly supportive of greyhound racing at SIS for many years and we remain very grateful to them. It will be a stellar month of racing at Oxford in December."

Towcester's final meeting on the SIS service is on Thursday 20th November.