Lucia's still bet365 Puppy Oaks jolly despite narrow semi reverse

BALLYMAC LUCIA retains favouritism with the sponsor for this evening's bet365 English Puppy Oaks final over 500m at Towcester (8.21) despite going down to a narrow defeat in the slowest of last Sunday's semi-finals.

Maxine Locke's bitch was short-headed by kennelmate Yahoo Maizy (29.51sec) having come from well off the pace, indeed she looked the likely winner off the last only to lose valuable ground when checking inside to challenge. She is qoted at 11/8 by bet365.

Honour of the fastest heat semi win went to Carol Weatherall's Droopys Smily who took the third in 29.07sec with the only unbeaten finalist earning a 13/8 quote.

Seamus Cahill's Dark Madam opened her UK account at the second time of asking when landing the opener in 29.27sec, a race which saw the exit of fastest first round winner Innfield Storm after she got a troubled run round the first couple of bends.

bet365 English Puppy Oaks final prices: T1 Dark Madam 9/2, T2 Ballymac Lucia 11/8, T3 Brinkleys Betty 16/1, T4 Droopys Smily 13/8, T5 Yahoo Maizy 8/1, T6 Magical Kirsty 33/1.

Puppy Oaks semi-final 1 - 1st T3 Dark Madam (29.27sec)

Puppy Oaks semi-final 2: 1st T5 Yahoo Maizy (29.51sec)

Puppy Oaks semi-final 3 - 1st T2 Droopys Smily (29.07sec)