Samantha Bonner looks back at two cracking semi-finals at Oxford and ahead to Friday’s final.
Semi Final 1
Semi Final 2
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Semi Finals Review
Semi Final 1 – commentary
As the traps open trap 2, Lively Lauren breaks best alongside 6, Alright Patricia. Trap 1, New Destiny and 3, Havana Top Note pace up well and close behind. Into the first bend, and 4, Mad for Sterling and 5, Ted’s Dexter are just a couple of lengths back and in contention.
Heading into the first two bends, Lively Lauren turns first ahead of Havana Top Note and New Destiny. But, New Destiny moves off forcing Havana Top Note to be pushed out wide and allowing Lively Lauren to go on by around 7 Lengths. In behind there’s more trouble as 5, Ted’s Dexter has to check over the back of 3 and 4. Mad for Sterling manages to get round the first 2 bends unscathed.
Turning into the home straight for the first time and Lively Lauren has taken full advantage of the trouble in behind and goes on now by a good 7 lengths with Havana Top Note now in second place and Mad for Sterling in 3rd. 1, 5 & 6 are all still crowding in behind the front trio.
Going into the 3rd and 4th bend and it’s all about Lively Lauren who’s impressive off the front, still maintaining her 6-7 length lead over Havana Top Note who’s still back in 2nd and chasing her down hard. Mad for Sterling, who is staying on well, and New Destiny is half a length behind and trying to mount a challenge. Alright Patricia and Ted’s Dexter are out the back after having multiple traffic issues in the race.
Turning into the home stretch now for the final time and Lively Lauren is still maintaining her now 4 length lead over 4, Mad for Sterling who’s running on straight and Havana Top Note keeping on for 3rd place. New Destiny is back in 4th, Alright Patricia placing 5th and Ted’s Dexter 6th.
Wow, what a race!! Never a dull moment.
Semi Final 2
Traps are up, and the early pace comes from 6, Havana Lover, 4, Coppice Warrior, and 3. Minnie Bullet, followed by 1, Maglass Brave, 5, Gutsys Jet, and Aayamza Sydney in the blue jacket, who’s showing great pace to go hard into the first bend.
Turning into the first couple of bends and Minnie Bullet, Coppice Warrior and Havana Lover all going in hard with Aayamza Sydney trying to force his way up the inside of Minnie Bullet. Minnie bullet shuts the door forcing Aayamza Sydney to check back. Havana Lover is now taking the lead from 3, Minnie Bullet, as they head into the home straight for the first time. Havana Lover takes a 3 length lead from Minnie Bullet back in second, Coppice Warrior back in 3rd and the rest all following in behind.
Going down into the third and fourth bend and Havana Lover is still maintaining her lead over Minnie Bullet, whilst back in third Coppice Warrior shuts the door on Aayamza Sydney forcing him to check over the back of him.
Down into the back straight and Havana Lover is really showing what she’s made of, pulling around 5 lengths out of Minnie Bullet who is still back in second but with challenges now coming from Coppice Warrior and Aayamza Sydney again. But, Minnie Bullet shuts the door, forcing them both to slightly check back and crowd, allowing now the strong runner in behind, Gutsy Jet, into third position off the last bend.
Swinging into the home straight though and it’s all about Havana Lover who goes on to win by an impressive 7 1/4 from Gutsy Jet who runs over the line very strong to pick up second place. Minnie Bullet is back in third, with the unlucky Aayamza Sydney back in 4th, Coppice Warrior 5th and Maglass Brave 6th.
What fantastic semi finals these have been!
Bet365 Challenge Cup Final Line up
Good luck to all connections but most of all good luck to the stunning finalists.
Matt Dartnall was delighted with Lively Lauren’s win in the first. “That’s her fourth final this year,” he told Greyhound Weekly. “What a year she’s had.” She is likely to go off as one of the top two in the market from the inside trap with Havana Lover being the most likely to contest the favourite tag.
