Vhagar shades reigning champ Destiny in 365 Challenge market

VHAGAR, three from three over the course and distance and inside the track record albeit with a hand-timed 38.80sec (-15) last week, has been installed as 6/4 favourite by the sponsor for the bet365 Challenge Cup over 650m at Oxford.

The competition starts with four heats on Sunday afternoon with multiple champion trainer Mark Wallis dominating the market courtesy of not just Vhagar but also kennelmate and 2024 winner New Destiny who is 13/8.

The only other runner quoted in single figures is Angie Kibble's Swindon Produce winner Eagles Destiny at 8/1 - he posted a new best of 39.09sec at the start of November.

Pat Cooney from bet365 said: "It’s good to welcome back reigning champion New Destiny, but she’s not at the top of market, that honour goes to kennelmate Vhagar who has really impressed in two recent wins at the track.

"Both would be worthy winners, but the competition has strength in depth with recent track record breakers Eagles Respect and Romeo Empire next in the ante-post betting.

"We’re really looking forward to it and will be interesting to see if holding all three rounds on a Sunday afternoon for the first time increases its popularity."

bet365 (Challenge Cup): 6/4 Vhagar, 13/8 New Destiny, 8 Eagles Respect, 10 Romeo Empire, 2 Carmac Cash, Droopys Invent, Gagas Merry, Newinn Cloud, 33 Burrows Charm, Crafty Prospero, 50 bar (e-w 1/4 1,2,3,4).