Barnfield Joe, with the barnstorming finish, looks the pick of the field in the £1,500 Oxford Stadium Bookmakers Oxfordshire Gold Cup final tonight.

Joe, trained by Julie Luckhurst at Crayford, overcame crowding to steam through and collar Chill Out Lad by a length and a quarter in the qualifiers, posting a smart 26.86.

He already has the Indian sign over Oxford owners Paul Clay and Steve Lucas's Heaslips Hawk, coming from behind to slam the black dog by five-and-a-half lengths in the Peterborough Derby.

However, Hawk loves the Oxford circuit. He has now run up a hat-trick of victories here and was impressive in making all to see off the fast-finishing Blonde Joey in the fastest time of the night posting 26.77.

Hawk has the right trap on the inside, but will need to stretch out throughout the 450 metres as Barnfield Joe will be nipping at the Nick Colton-trained runner's heels from late on.

Dave Mullins's Romford hope, Island Walk, did little wrong in winning on Tuesday and had it all to do after crowding at the first bend to reign in Droopys Rodger on the line in 27.03.

A lot will depend on how they get around the first bend, but as I see it, Hawk, hopefully, will get first run, but will be looking over his shoulder for Joe and Island Walk waiting to pounce.

The main final will be supported by three open races.

OXFORDSHIRE GOLD CUP LINE-UP.

Trap 1: Heaslips Hawk, black dog April 04. Trained by Nick Colton (Hall Green). Best time: 26.77. Price 5-2.

Trap 2: Droopys Rodger, bk d May 04. Sean Gresham (Reading). 27.07. 8-1.

Trap 3: Barnfield Joe, bk d April 05. Julie Luckhurst, (Crayford). 26.86. 7-4.

Trap 4: Chill Out Lad, wbk d June 05. Shirley McDonagh (Henlow). 26.97. 10-1.

Trap 5: Blonde Joey, bk d March 04. John Mullins (private). 26.80. 5-1.

Trap 6: Island Walk, bkw d March 05. David Mullins (Romford). 27.03. 3-1.