Palgrave Chief, who carries local hopes, faces a huge task in the £2,500 Property Care Complete Maintenance Ltd Oxfordshire Stakes decider over 450 metres at Oxford Stadium tonight.

The black and white dog, trained by Paul Clarke and owned by Robert Jessup and Ricky Northover, posted his fastest time yet when beating Pilot Pretender on Tuesday.

He lines up alongside the likes of Star of Twilight, Swhimasdylan and the fast-finishing Pilot Pretender, while there are punters who will support Ernie Gaskin's other runner, Blackmagic Jack.

It's a difficult race to call, but leading light is undoubtedly Star of Twilight as Paul Sallis's black dog.

Already odds on in the ante-post guide, he has been brilliant so far winning his two races by a total of 19 lengths.

His best time of 26.66 was equalled by Swhimasdylan in the semi-finals on Tuesday, but the market-leader has the red jacket and that could prove pivotal in the run to the important first bend.

Any trouble in the race could benefit Pilot Pretender, who has a rare late rattle, but the 1-2 for me is Star of Twilight and Swimasdylan.

The big race is supported by four open races.

Paddy Curtin's Farloe Ferdinand has won his fifth open race out of the last eight and now goes to Monmore for the Ladbroke Sprint Festival on Monday.

OXFORDSHIRE STAKES Trap 1: Star of Twilight - Black dog, July 05. Trainer: P Sallis (Hall Green). Best time: 26.66. Latest betting 4-6.

Trap 2: Palgrave Chief - Bkw d, July 05. P Clarke (Oxford). 26.95. 8-1.

Trap 3: Swhimasdylan - bk d, May 05. E Gaskin (Romford). 26.66. 4-1.

Trap 4: Sparta Doughnuts - bk d, Aug 05. N Colton (Swindon). 27.12. 25-1.

Trap 5: Blackmagic Jack - bk d, April 06. Trainer: E Gaskin (Romford. 27.06. 6-1.

Trap 6: Pilot Pretender - bk d, Mar 05. T Hackett (Notts). 27.13. 6-1.

Tonight's runners 7.35: Risky Annie, Broadacres Aoife, Shelbourne Amy 3, Rodstown Reigh, Lauren Le Vieri, NEWYORK GIANT.

7.51: Darkdesert Oasis, Celtic Charmer 3, Rhincrew Lil, ROBERTS BOY, No Charge, Kisskissbangdang.

8.07: Hellroad Slaney 3, CORNU COPIA, Merlaboo Slippy, Leetial, Geneva Patch, Scatty Alfie.

8.23: Tashas Heart, Special Image, Ring The Boss 3, LAGGANMORE MALLY, Prince Jim, Terrydrum Gem.

8.39: Time Cracker, Scatty Oscar, Scootalong Holly 3, PIN SEEKER, Blue Mineola, Bewitching Blue.

8.55: POSITIVE STEP, Tecfacs Wizard, Glenroe Sandra, Boys Night Out, Droopys Harewood 3, Romeo Tevez.

9.11: Burwood Tamara, Daisyfield Corey, Newlawn Emperor, Zamora New 3, Pluckanes Ace, IVER CANDY, 9.27: BRICKFIELD CLASS, Darkdesert Fancy, Paulees Prince 3, Bluetoon Hannah, Blue Calador, Dark Astro.

9.43: CORKER MAN, Stafford Dreams 3, Mindies Dream, Mandeville Jewel, Goinglight Spike, Fan Cracker.

9.59: STAR OF TWILIGHT, Palgrave Chief, Swhimasdylan, Sparta Doughnuts, Blackmagic Jack, Pilot Pretender 3.

10.15: Valverdi, LIVE INVESTMENT, Ballyboy Woods 3, Tiger Spark, Effernogue Top, Eden Pride.

10.22: Vancouver Sol, Hycos Tiger, SWHIMASCHARL, Pawseys Pride 3, Acres Four, Pennys Ford.

Nap: Star Of Twilight