Trafalgar Cup winner Horsehoe Ping was among some fancied hounds that bowed out of the William Hill Pall Mall in the opening heats at the Stadium last night.

Taking a hefty bump on the first bend in heat four, the black dog was never able to get in a blow from then on and missed the cut as Mick Puzey's Walthamstow raider Clonbrin Show came home an easy winner in 26.98.

Earlier, Ernie Gaskin's Greenlough Power impressed when taking heat three in style. He took up the running at the first bend and powered home like a 6-4 shot should posting 26.85.

However, the fastest run of the night came from Cowley big race specialist Brian Clemensen whose Shelbourne Poopa zipped round the four bends in a superb 26.63 having over three lengths to spare at the line from Hurling Honcho.

Barrie Draper made the long trek from Sheffield a winning one as Camp Bugler proved a hoot outsmarting even money favourite Bubbly Classic with a trap to line victory, but will still have a bit to do in the semis .

Roswell Spaceman took flight in heat five and never gave Derby finalist Ningb Jack a look in as he powered home in 26.92 with Oxford hopes Farloe Superb and Angry Andrew fourth and last respectively The semi-finals are on Tuesday.