VICTORIA Falls, a dog formerly owned by Paul Clay and trained by both Nick Colton and Richard Baker at various times, pulled off the shock of the year when the 25-1 shot landed the Primus Saver Grand National at Wimbledon on Tuesday night.

There was no luck for Colton when Tiranus Rex met all sorts of trouble and Johnnys Way fared no better in the supporting open races.

However, Colton is hoping for better fortune with his two new recruits in Uncle Blue and Uncle Donald.

Jolly Poacher, Colton’s prolific open race winner, beaten only three times in 15 outings at Oxford is to stand at stud at Colton’s new Irish base.

  • A NEW trainer is a major priority for Oxford as the racing strength has dipped to an all-time low of 307, with 350 the figure required to stage a full programme.

Matters were only made worse this week with ten bitches coming into season and to ensure the BAGS meetings have a full compliment, cards on Thursdays and Saturdays are restricted to ten or 11 races until a new handler is appointed.

A few trainers have applied for the new post, but none have had the sufficient strength. Any new applicant must have around 30-35 hounds.

  • SPECIAL Image, a model racer for trainer Johnny Mayo, an A1 grade dog and Springbok hurdle heat winner, can look forward to a comfortable retirement. Mayo said: “He’s been such a good servant, he deserves his rest.”
  • RICHARD Baker is hoping it is third time lucky when he sends his former top open race bitch, Love Penny, to Ireland to be mated with top stud dog Ballymac Weave.

Two previous attempts have proved negative.

  • TRAINER Gilly Hepden’s kennel was in good form last week with nine winners, while Steve Rayner’s Sharons Guest was impressive with a 27.02 win at Sunday’s BAGS meeting.

Rayner is now looking forward to his new litter of seven by Tourna Star and Bluebell Hondo strutting their stuff at Oxford.