Oxford Stadium’s hopes of staging the Scurry Gold Cup and the Gold Collar next year are over after sister track Belle Vue retained the option.

Belle Vue are able to raise the appropriate prize money attributed to such prestigious competitions, leaving Oxford with the Pall Mall as their biggest open race of the year.

One potential stumbling block, however, is whether Sky Sports are going to screen the event as in the past.

The TV company’s normal dog night is a Tuesday, and Oxford hope they may change their schedule and change to Thursday next year to cover the event.

I would have thought that highly unlikely, and for my money, if Oxford want the TV coverage, they will have to stage the Pall Mall on a Tuesday as they have in the past.

l OXFORD bookmakers came out at the wrong end on Cesarewitch and Maiden Derby finals night.

The biggest blow hit RD Racing, who laid Raving Black, winner of the Cesarewitch, £2,500 to £500.

However, they considered the night a success turnover- wise and gave the thumbs up for more open racing at Sandy Lane.

l THE racing office are still 26 dogs short of the total grading strength required, despite a further 32 hounds passing off from Monday’s trials.

Paddy Curtin added another bow to his successful kennel in Postal Julie who is worth keeping an eye on. She posted 27.19secs.

The puppy is a September ‘08 whelp and won at Shelbourne Park and Harolds Cross in Ireland posting 29.52 and 29.45 respectively.

The fastest of the session was Patterdale Claud, who retur-ned from injury to clock an impressive 27.13.

Two dogs to look out for are Barney Fella (Yeates) and Hello Dean (Curtin) who won a maiden open at Nottingham THERE will be no trials on Bank Holiday Monday.

THE Oxford Owners Association awards evening will take place on Thursday.