FORMER Oxford trainer Dean Childs will be hoping to make it a return to Sandy Lane to remember when Droopys Stevie lines up in the opening heats of the £1,000 RD Racing Trafalgar Puppy Cup tonight.

Stevie has been impressive with a win and two seconds from his first three races at Henlow and, with the red jacket in heat one tonight, carries a confident nap.

Oxford’s only representative, Jolly Gino, faces a tough task although the Nick Colton-trained black and white dog has a 26.88 clock round here.

But he also has Smart Bid in trap two to overcome if he is going to make the final.

Heat two features former Irish hotpot Ministry May May, who has been mighty impressive here so far.

Connections are so serious that the black dog has had three trials here, posting 14.84 for two bends and 27.05 and 27.06 over tonight’s trip.

Markeys Dragon and Sawpit Sydney can battle out the minor honours.

The drinks could be on Guinness Kev in heat three as top trainer Sean Cahill, who also tracks Guinness Dusty, bids for a one-two.

However, Kev looks the pick with Ballymac Jones favourite to join him in the showdown.

The final is next Saturday, supported by four open races, one of which could feature one of the longest races at Oxford for many years, a 1,040m event in which the runners pass the winning post three times.

TONIGHT’S RUNNERS 7.45: Ardmayle Fizz, MANCHESTER STAR,Tennessee Light, Fragrant Rose 3, Igoyougo, Royal Apollo.

8.01: Keeperhill Katie, STANS WORLD, Mixababe, Darcys Revenge, Dublinyour-money, Henery 3.

8.17 (Trafalgar Cup, heat 1): DROOPYS STEVIE, Smart Bid, Jolly Gino 3, Lacken Heights, Doobys Gone West, Droopys Darwin.

8.33: Demontforts Lady, Knockrour Paddy, Queen Anne, MAEVES TATTOO, Mild Steel 3, Hector Pascal.

8.49 (Heat 2): Sawpit Sydney 3, Markeys Dragon, Droopys Patsy, Bowtime Regan, Sids Champ, MINISTRY MAY MAY.

9.05: Whos Joy, GORTNASKEHA OWL, Pennys Best, Greencroft Pat, Ten Bob, Swift Kep 3.

9.21 (Heat 3): Smiler Jack 3, Ballymac Jones, Tullymurry Bono, GUINNESS KEV, Angelic Lottie, Guinness Dusty.

9.37: Rupert The Blue, MAJESTICAL JOJO, Vevas Tiger, All Fired Up, Pawseys Pride, Sudden Decision 3.

9.54: Zigzag Marcella, Gizmo Senor 3, Nightfire Ebony, Inishowen Bella, SOUNDSLIKEAPLAN, Cantcatch Me.

10.10: Nacho Libre, Greyfox Millie 3, SHELBOURNE CHERI, Ballyfinn Og, Sierra Lobo, Winslow Wonder.

Nap: Droopys Stevie.