Sinead just holds off kennelmate Jackson in a real Oxford thriller

QUEEN SINEAD, the outsider of the three Liz McNair-trained finalists but by no means unfancied having been supported from 12-1 into 7-1, just held off kennelmate King Jackson to claim the £10,000 BGBF Puppy Cup over 450m at Oxford.

A catapult start from trap one quickly had Queen Sinead at the head of affairs, her cause aided when King Jackson tangled with Queen Cilla at the opening turn.

Queen Sinead was clear along the back and when King Jackson lost a little more momentum going for a run inside Queen Cilla at the third bend, it looked all over.

However, the favourite finally got in the clear and flew home to join Queen Sinead on the line, the evidence of the camera showing that the long-time leader had prevailed by the minimum margin in 27.09sec.

Rank outsider Savana Merapi ran an absolute blinder in third just another half length back, denying McNair and owners the KSS Syndicate a 1-2-3 with their Queen Cilla tiring into fourth.