UP For Sam lit up the Oxford Bookmakers Trafalgar Cup with a blistering display to crush the track record by an amazing 17 hundreths of a second on Thursday night.

It was the Carol Weatherall- trained black dog’s first race in England after proving a top-class racer at Lifford in Ireland.

He left his field for dead out of the traps, and came home five and three-quarter lengths clear of Oxford hopeful Ardmayle Hawk in a sizzling 26.20secs.

He is now a very hot favourite to land next Thursday’s final, where he will come out of the No 4 trap.

TRAFALGAR CUP FINAL DRAW Trap 1: Autumn Recession. Trap 2: Blondie Button. Trap 3: Ardmayle Hawk. Trap 4: Up For Sam. Trap 5: Jaytee Ray. Trap 6: Stans Printer.

Meanwhile, another of Oxford Stadium’s top events, the Oxfordshire Gold Cup, will again be sponsored by Blanchford Building Supplies.

And that will be the seventh successive year that they have given it their backing.

The final big race of the year saw Jolly Poacher complete his unique treble in 2009, and it’s all systems go for this year’s event.

But two more of the stadium’s big events, the Cesarewitch and Maiden Derby, are still without sponsors after William Hill opted out of the latter this year.

Confirmation is still awaited from the leading owner, Max Picinelli, over his continued sponsorship of the Maiden Derby.

It may be that the Cesarewitch, the oldest staying race in the sport, will have to run with smaller prize money and a reduced field of 12 runners to attract a backer.

It is, however, an event that Oxford do not want lose.

In addition, it is probably the most expensive trophy in the sport.

  • STAN James Bookmakers, who sponsor the Pall Mall, have promised fans a great finals night with a free raffle and some special prizes to be won.