FORMER Oxford trainer Dean Childs set the Ladbrokes Pall Mall alight when Droopys Loner romped home in the first round heats at Oxford on Thursday.

The 4-5 favourite was never troubled after a smart trap where he soon overcame Goa Gette by the first bend, drawing away to win by six-and-a-quarter lengths in the fastest time of the night, 26.79secs on going minus 20 spots.

Both Oxford hopefuls, Spencers Lad (10-1) and Rosville Bullet (20-1), suffered at the first and third bends to make an early exit.

One Oxford hound which made it into the semi-finals was the Richard Yeates-trained Aherlow Shaw (6-1), beaten a neck and half a length in a tight finish to heat three.

Swindon raider Kilmalady Biffo (7-2), trained by Kevin Hutton, son of former Oxford bookmaker Geoff, won to keep up his superb Cowley record.

It was the dark brindle’s fourth victory here in two months as he came home a neck to the good over Packin Heat (3-1) in 27.09.

Monmore trainer Chris Allsopp, who won the event with Brittons Empire in 2010, showed he was after a double when Empire (3-1 jt fav) led all the way to see off Rio Torino (7-2) in heat one in 26.92.

He was at it again in heat two as his Smart Bid (4-1) led from the first bend to romp home by a handsome seven and a quarter lengths in 27.16.

Frank Taylor’s You Mind Me (11-10 fav) impressed with a short head verdict over Ballymac Drogba (4-1) in heat four.

Milwards Blag (10-1) provided the shock of the night in heat six, where 7-4 shot Caribbean Rich missed out.

Former Oxford trainer Paddy Curtin made it into the semi-finals with third-placed hounds Farloe Mysterio and Droopys Betson in heats four and five.

The semi-finals are next Thursday with the final live on Sky on Tuesday, June 19.

A BIG blow was the non-appearance of Derby third Coolvanny Bert ruled out with a foot injury, while a lack of open race form meant Maurice Massey's Millstead Lady was not considered.

Thursday's draw – 1st semi-final: Goa Getta, Droopys Loner, You Mind Me, Ballymac Drogba, Castlebride Dan, Dromana Max. 2nd semi-final: Brittons Empire, Hazy Purty, Rio Torino, Black Silver, Kilmalady Biffo, Farloe Mysterio. 3rd semi-final: Westmead Shaw, Smart Bid, Milwards Blag, Packin Heat, Droopys Betson, Aherlow Shaw.