Locke doubles up as times are close in Puppy Collar first round

MAXINE LOCKE took training honours in the first round of the KAB Puppy Collar over 450m at Oxford as just seven spots separated five of the six heat winners in the Category One event.

Locke struck early with impressive Jacktavern Don who dominated his rivals throughout to score by six and a half lengths from Feeling The Love in 26.84sec, the Romford trainer doubling up when her Newinn Jolie (26.86sec) turned over 1/4 chance Outa The Clouds in heat four which was the only eliminator to see the market leader beaten.

Fastest time of the round came from Kevin Hutton's Ollie The Ox (26.80sec) in heat two with other winners being Nathan Hunt's Romford Puppy Cup champion Scooby Diamond (26.84sec), David Mullins' Zenith Jimbombom (26.87sec) and Richie Taberner's Aero Najem (27.04sec).

The run of the day over 450m, however, came from Hutton's Start The Engine in an all-aged one-off open as he won easily in 26.46sec, while there were smart 650m efforts from Robin Jury's Gagas Merry (39.33sec) and Mullins' Brigadir Brindle (39.43sec).

Ht 1: 1st T4 Jacktavern Don 26.84sec (Trainer: Maxine Locke)

Ht 2: 1st T2 Ollie The Ox 26.80sec (Trainer: Kevin Hutton)

Ht 3: 1st T4 Aero Najem 27.04sec (Trainer: Richie Taberner)

Ht 4: 1st T1 Newinn Jolie 26.86sec (Trainer: Maxine Locke)

Ht 5: 1st T5 Scooby Diamond 26.84sec (Trainer: Nathan Hunt)

Ht 6: 1st T2 Zenith Jimbombom 26.87sec (Trainer: David Mullins)