LIVELY Lauren was a most impressive winner on debut at Oxford a week ago, and looks to be well-placed to follow up that success in the Wolvercote Puppy Stakes at 7.47pm tonight.

Matt Dartnall’s 19-month-old bitch clocked 27.83 and 27.81 in her two respective trials at Oxford Stadium before stepping straight into open company on debut last Friday.

From trap two, she was quick away and showed a lovely late turn-of-foot to win the RPGTV Free To View Puppy Open in 27.23.

This evening, Lively Lauren has been drawn in trap one and would appear to have the early pace to hold Tracey Went Mad and Athlacca Chief to her immediate right.

The danger could come out wider. Chris Hamblin’s Burgess Vision in trap four is likely to be quick out the boxes but has question marks hanging over his stamina.

Two Marks from trap five meanwhile is a consistent performer but may rely on some luck in-running if he is to reverse last week’s form when losing by five-and-one-quarter lengths to tonight’s selection.

Another eye-catcher from last week was Annual Sydney, who runs in the Wolvercote Standard Trophy at 8.38pm.

Kevin Hutton’s dog was unfortunate on opening night when crowded at the start before running on to finish third. A clear run last week saw the two-year-old return a popular winner, though, as 11/10 favourite in a time of 27.24.

Behind Annual Sydney last week was Jet Stream Vic (2nd) and Zazzeras Jack (6th). I don’t believe we’ve seen the best of Zazzeras Jack yet, he could represent good value at a bigger price.

Also in the race are Stefans Jet who won our very first race on September 2, Mustang Sam who finished third in a competitive contest last week and the rail-hugging Fifty Nine who is unbeaten in his two runs at Oxford to date.

There’ll be a fascinating duel between Kevin Hutton’s fast-starting pair Forest Yuri and TwoLengthsTooGud from traps one and two respectively in race nine at 9.46pm. Aero Lennie, in the same race from trap five, was desperately unlucky last week too when being carried wide on turn two.

Finally, Oi Oi Joey – the greyhound named in honour of the late Joey Beauchamp – hopes it’s a case of third time lucky when lining up in the Wolvercote Maiden Trophy at 8.21pm.

The first of our ten races starts at 7.30pm tonight with Saturday’s 10-race card also starting at 7.30pm. We hope to see you there!

NAP – Lively Lauren, 7.47pm (Friday)

NB – Annual Sydney, 8.38pm (Friday)