Pall Mall champion Ballymac Ace is a red-hot favourite to topple Jolly Poacher in the final of the Blanchford Building Supplies Oxf-ordshire Gold Cup at Oxford Stadium ton-ight.

The Chris Allsopp-trained Ace, carried all before him in the early season classic, and looked as though he had never been away when skating home by six lengths from the highly-rated Brickfield Class, posting the fastest time in the qualifiers of 26.48.

His main rival for the £1,000 prize is undoubtedly the Nick Colton-trained Poacher, current Gold Cup champion, and unprecedented winner of all three local trophies last year, adding the Maiden Derby and Oxfordshire Stakes to his impressive tally.

Like Ace, Poacher was equally impressive when he relegated useful Swindon raider RazlDazl Dazl to the runners-up place by four lengths in a fast 26.65 last Saturday.

However, if there is to be an upset, it could be down to the draw where both Ace and Poacher love the inside traps, but have been drawn four and five respectively for tonight’s showdown.

Both will have to be their best to avoid first bend bunching, and that means pinging the lids in style. though, Ace won the Pall Mall from trap five!

The two best drawn hounds are Brickfield Class, a winner of over 50 open races who gets the red jacket and Droopys Tajmahal, who beat Oxford’s other hope the Richard Baker trained Everlast Rocket in 27.02 by three and half lengths, he gets trap six.

They say a good dog can trap from any box and I fully expect Ace and Poacher to end up the two principles in what is sure to be a great final.

The big race is supported by open races over 250, 450 and 595m, while the sponsors have made it an all-trophy meeting by backing the graded races.

TONIGHT’S RUNNERS 7.35: Crashing Moment, Milton Bradley, Malbay Beyonce 3, GANGSTER MCHUGH, Meenala Shamrock, Ballyhoe Bertie.

7.50: Danielles Shelly, Sahara Mate 3, Kisskissbangdang, Robbie Rocks, Adamant Yankee, WICHITA JOE.

8.05: Bargain Key, Applegreen Boy, Breagain Jack, Sparta Doughnuts 3, Dilton Ellie, LOLOS MAJESTIC.

8.20: FARLOE ELLIE, Hillcross Isis, Farloe Hustler, Shelbourne Fire, Tommys Girl, Fathers Dream 3.

8.35: DA REBEL SUPREME, Daughter Of Peg, Westmead Lexy, Aherlow Shaw, Droopys Melo 3, Jolly Rumble.

8.50: Time Seb, TEXAN HONDO, Burwood Indy, Dysert Ishma, Hamilton Hero, Blakes Dynasty 3.

9.05: Black Sasha, Dance Charmaine, Subway Girl, LUNDY GRAND, Iver Candy, Jodys Macheda 3.

9.20: Seneca, Melodys Comet 3, BALLYMAC RUMBLE (nap), Bungalow Blue, Shelbourne Lucy, Hollyoak Pops.

9.35: Nicelittleearner, LOLOS HONCHO, Conduit, Frisky Giacoma, Not Now Blue 3, Farmer Giles.

9.50: Brickfield Class, Razldazl Dazl, Everlast Rocket, BALLYMAC ACE, Jolly Poacher, Droopys Tajmahal 3.

10.05: Saleen Tango, Kilgraney Saidso 3, PENNYS BONO, Mitcheltown Blue, Brykat Lola, Mooreville Girl.

10.20: KILLISHIN KUDOS, Home Taylor,Big Peg 3, Ashcroft Colin, Rip The Calico, Talksport Bolt.