Towcester to stage pre-Xmas gala around bet365 Puppy Oaks

TOWCESTER has announced a pre-Christmas gala on Saturday 21st December which will have the £10,000 bet365 Puppy Oaks as its centrepiece supported by nine £3,000 invitation races over the full range of distances.

The meeting, which will be live on SIS, is a rare Saturday evening fixture to which entry will be free and will also see the finals of four valuable kennelstakes events to complete a 14-race card.

Towcester promoter Kevin Boothby said: “This has been in my thoughts for a while, but things have come together in recent weeks and it’s great to announce it now.

“Shelbourne have led the way with the original Night of Stars and then the Winter Festival but we’ve not had really anything similar in the UK.

“It’s very much a festive celebration – or a ‘Greyhound Bonanza’ as we’ve billed it – just before Christmas and we hope to get some interest from Ireland.

“The Irish Derby will have finished and the Winter Festival is two weeks prior, so some of the big names there might head across to us – and vice versa maybe.

“There’s a lot going on behind the scenes in terms of wider coverage and I’d like to thank all the sponsors – and we’ve managed to get quite a few! – for their support in getting this off the ground.”

Richard Brankley, head of greyhound operations for SIS, commented: "We are delighted to showcase this blockbuster meeting as an additional fixture to the SIS service during Christmas week.

"Thanks to bet365 for their continued investment plus the other sponsors too, in addition to Billy Brennan who has pulled it all together."

The Puppy Oaks final is being brought forward a day from the original Sunday 22nd December afternoon slot and bet365 spokesman Pat Cooney said: "We were more than happy to switch dates and add to what will hopefully be a talent-packed evening of racing."