Oxford are set to stage their midsummer open race bonanza in July thanks to sponsor Max Piccineli.

There will be £3,500 in prize money up for grabs as the Stadium stages the Tech Shop UK Marathon over 845 metres and the Oxford Maiden Trophy over 450 metres on Saturday July 21.

The heats for the Maiden Trophy take place on Tuesday July 17 and for the Marathon on Saturday July 14.

Italian businessman Piccinelli has greyhounds with trainer Tony Magnasco and is a great supporter of racing at Cowley.

  • NOT many hounds at Oxford win five races in a row, but that's what the Gloria Stringer-trained Ushers Jenny achieved when winning the S1 by two lengths on Tuesday.
  • BAGS racing chairman John Johnson and Patrick Nixon - chief advisor to Lord Donaghey, who is conducting a complete overhaul of the greyhound industry - will be visiting Oxford Stadium on May 9.
  • THE Oxford Retired Greyhound Trust will be having a stand at Yarnton Nurseries on Sunday, June 3.

The trust's Jenny Hebborn is urging all supporters to pay a visit.

There will be plenty of goodies and information on retired hounds.

  • THE next all-trophy meeting for the Oxford Owners' Association is on Tuesday May 8. Meanwhile, members are reminded that subscriptions are due for renewal on June 1.
  • NEW greyhound registration are up 20 per cent on last year at Oxford.

The first four months of the year has seen 60 new hounds registered.

  • TRAINER Johnny Mayo was left disappointed after Mass Destruction and Swift Picture were not accepted for the Grand National, which gets under way at Wimbledon tonight.
  • PADDY Curtin and his owners have something to look forward to after two of his A1 bitches, Killeacle Nelly and Solid Faith, returned from Ireland after being mated to top stud dogs Daves Mentor and Botherduff Light respectively.

Both are expected to whelp in mid June.

  • GILLY Hepden's Dooey Eimear showed promise with a 27.73 run at Monday's trial session.