EL Boss, favourite for the RD Racing Gold Cup, had a mighty scare before scraping through to take his place in next Tuesday's semi-finals at Oxford Stadium.

The Pall Mall champion was slowly away before meeting trouble at the third bend and finishing third behind Go Go Zodiac, and Hes Nobodys Fool in Tuesday's first-round heats.

Go Go Zodiac, from Ian Wills' kennel, provided Oxford with their only winner in the heats when scoring in 27.55.

Concorde Rascal, who has proved a popular order in the ante-post market, recorded the fastest time of the night when taking the first heat in 27.06 from former Pall Mall finalist Wath Serenade.

Reading Masters champion Jicky took heat two in 27.27 for Hove trainer Brian Clemenson from Oxford duo Brendans Gold and Tolpuddle Gizmoe. Countrywidepride, from Linda Jones's Walthamstow range, won heat four in good style in 27.41, while the last two heats saw surprises with 10-1 shot Clas Fugitive (27.24) and 14-1 outsider Chakalak Tenavil (27.63) taking the honours.

The first two from each of Tuesday's semi-finals qualify for next Saturday's final.

SEMI-FINAL LINE-UPS

1st semi-final: Go Go Zodiac, Cider Baby, El Boss, Chakalak Tenavil, Thats Style, Outlaw Spice Boy.

2nd semi-final: Countrywidepride, Droopys Clay, Wath Serenade, Concorde Rascal, Hes Nobodys Fool, Jicky.

3rd semi-final: Chakalak Midas, Flasher Mac, Rhincrew Duke, Tolpuddle Gizmoe, Brendans Gold, Cals Fugitive.