Romford heroine Scooby set to star again in Oxford Collar test

SCOOBY DIAMOND was a shock winner of the Romford Puppy Cup but the form looks very solid and Nathan Hunt's bitch can make a successful start to another Category One campaign with victory in heat four of the KAB Puppy Collar over Oxford's 450m trip at 4.07.

The fact that she was sent off 14/1 for the Romford decider needs to be put into the context of brilliant favourite Magical Luka being a 1/8 chance and Hunt's bitch took the opportunity that came her way well, going from the front when the jolly fluffed his lines at the start.

Her second trial here, in particular, was excellent and it will be disappointing if she cannot prove a cut above the opposition.

Jacktavern Don has improved with every look at the track in trials which is probably significant as Maxine Locke's charge never truly looked comfortable round home venue Romford - he looks the best bet of the day in the opening heat at 2.52.

Other heat fancies are Savva Roberts' Newcastle raider Droopys Trigger (3.11), Richie Taberner's Aero Najem (3.29), Kevin Hutton's Jazzy Ace (3.49) and David Mullins' Zenith Jimbombom (4.26).

Non-maiden one-off picks are Heather Dimmock's Droopys Mikado (2.33) and Hutton's Start The Engine (4.44).

Pick of the races at Doncaster's early fixture is a B1 contest over 450m at 11.04 in which Sue Watson's Sandwood Gabby is fancied to defy an upgrade, while Christian Darch's Pandy Chris can complete a four-timer in Valley's A2 over 460m at 1.12.

There are three Sunday Irish fixtures with Liam Jones' Star Michael (3.41) and Catherine Lynagh's Bluejig Teddy (4.37) both strong fancies at Mullingar, while Billy Murphy's Ascot Noah (7.51) and Kevin O'Kane's Sniper Ava (8.21) make most appeal at Clonmel and Lifford respectively.

Jacktavern Don (nap)
T4 Oxford 2.52