The Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks final - Runner-by-runner

Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks final

The first Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks to be run at Dunstall Park has proven to be a fascinating competition. With the runners at 9/4 the field, there is a case to be made for all of them which is hopefully going to make this an excellent watch.

Growing into the competition, for all that she has not been able to trap as well as she has elsewhere so far. The Patrick Janssens team are absolutely flying and are masterful when it comes to producing their charges to perfection when it is required. She didn't get the clearest of runs in her semi, so that can be marked up a little. If she finds her 3.98 Towcester trapping, she'll be hard to hold.

Nathan Hunt's charge is the outsider of the field, staying on well on each occasion to make her way though to this final. After 44 runs she is the most exposed of them, but like most in here, she is progressing with each of her looks at Dunstall Park. 

The youngest of the six finalists, she has only been seen on a British track in the three rounds of this competition so far. Two of her three efforts in the Oaks have seen her go under three seconds on the split. Another of those could perhaps see her lead up the pair inside her, and that might be needed, along with maintaining her upward curve through the Oaks.

Overcame a wider than ideal draw in five in her quarter-final having got closest to Droopys Kathleen in the opening round. She has another difficult looking draw on paper, but she stays this 480m very well and having gone sub 28 seconds in a trial around here, it is clear what level of ability she has when things go right for her.

A pair of 2.94 sectionals in the three rounds make her the quickest of these to the split. Both of those have come from the orange jacket that she will sport here, and with a railer inside her, she has an excellent draw to work from. She has improved with each look here and her trainer Barry Denby is sweet on her chances. 

“I’ve been in greyhound racing all my life – but Friday’s Oaks is the most excited I’ve been for a race,” said Denby.  “It’s the biggest moment of my career without doubt. She’s a gorgeous greyhound and her qualifying for the final of the Oaks has really taken me by surprise. She just loves the new track at Dunstall Park and has taken to it like a duck to water. If she leads, it’ll take a special greyhound to pick her up.”

“It’s been my ambition since I was a child to win the Oaks, and here I am, days away from my 71st birthday, less than 30 seconds from potentially realising that dream. She impressed me at Kilkenny and I’ve always thought the track is well suited for dogs to be successful at Nottingham, my local track, in the long term. Win, lose or draw, we’ll enjoy the ride. And her future is with us at home where, all being well, we plan to breed from her and continue the journey.”

The winner of the 2024 bet365 Empress Stakes at Towcester, her consistency has seen her make another huge competition final. With four railers and a quick starter inside her, she should get a clean run around the outside, which should see her right in the mix come the line. Is a massive danger to all if she turns on the speed.

Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks Best Odds

9/4 Fabulous Aria (SkyBet/Paddy Power) 

7/2 Avongate Venus (Hills) 

9/2 Raebella Bullet (Hills) 

11/2 Kilwest Diva (Hills) 

7/1 Butlers Lane (SkyBet/Paddy Power)

14/1 Bridefort Lady (general)

Who wins the 2025 Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks?

It really is an intriguing final. Butlers Lane is the sole unbeaten finalist and is arguably the best drawn bitch in the race. She is going to face competition for the lead from Kilwest Diva and it will come down to how much the pair take out of one another before they hit the third bend.

Neither Fabulous Aria nor Avongate Venus got a clear passage in their semi-final and the pair are both capable of producing better runs if they can gain themselves a run through. We have not yet seen Fabulous Aria trap like she can and with Bridefort Lady moving off a hair from three last week, if she can find her best, she can add to the sensational run that Patrick Janssens is having at present. 

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