Oxford will have three runners in the William Hill Pall Mall semi-finals after Dean Childs saw both his charges qualify, along with Angie Kibble's Appleford Al.

Arthurs Joy and Target Harry will represent Childs next Tuesday.

In a troubled first heat favourite Myella Honcho suffered a badly strained shoulder after a first bend pile-up.

Childs's other runner, Target Harry, made the early running, but with Crust Breaker and Arthurs Joy staying on strongly, the latter prevailed by a head in a very tight finish, posting 27.19secs.

However, the one they all have to beat is Elaine Parker's Mahers Boy, a track specialist at Sandy Lane.

He fully justified his favourite's tag for the early-season classic with his sixth victory from seven starts at the Cowley circuit.

Normally a fast trapper, the black and white dog suffered bumping at the start, but flew through a gap at the second bend to come away in good style from the fast-finishing Lenson Express to win by three-quarters of a length in 26.79.

One that could well challenge him in the later stages of the competition is Charlie Lister's Ballymac Charley.

The black and white dog left his rivals standing at the traps, and ran on well to come home an easy one and a quarter lengths clear of Harbour Wind in 26.83.

Maltese Dan made the early running in heat four, but Black Taxi, trained by Coventry's John Mullins, came through to snatch the spoils in 27.03.

Mark Wallis's Walthamstow hopeful Roswell Starship, enjoyed a runaway victory in heat five, posting 26.69 to see off Romeo Alert.

And Blonde Joey took the finale, with Baran Mustang unlucky in running in second, and Kibble's Appleford Al staying on in third.

TUESDAY'S SEMI-FINAL DRAW

Heat 1: Lenson Express, Mahers Boy, Crust Breaker, Maltese Dan, Ballymac Charley, Swift Extort.

Heat 2: Bonville Podge, Harbour Wind, Blonde Joey, Baran Mustang, Arthurs Joy, Target Harry.

Heat 3: Hong Kong Phoey, Romeo Alert, Appleford Al, Greenlough Power, Black Taxi, Roswell Starship.