KING SHEERAN continued Liz McNair and the KSS Syndicate’s domination of the 73rd British Bred 2-Year-Old Produce Stakes with a fastest second-round heat success at Swindon on Wednesday.

Having won six of the eight heats last weekend with five home-bred Kings (Lennon, Sheeran, Diamond, Cash and Dylan) and a Queen (Cher), the McNairs held a strong hand at the last-24 stage – and have qualified six runners for the semis.

King Sheeran (28.66sec) led home littermate King Lennon for a McNair one-two in heat four, less than an hour after their brother King Cash scored a 28.90sec success in heat one. They joined four other McNair runners in Monday’s semis.

Rab McNair, husband of the trainer, said: “They’re doing well. The brothers are doing their mum (Skate On) – and us – proud and Queen Cher (Eden The Kid-Shaws Dilemma) did great to finish second on Wednesday. She’s also running well.

“We’ve been lucky in the draw I suppose with there in each semi and what will be will be. It’s great to be involved – but I’m just delighted Sheeran and Lennon in particular are both running well. They’ve had their setbacks this year.”

John Mullins and Kevin Hutton ensured the McNairs did not have everything their own way with victories for the Dave Firmager-bred Romeo Rumble (28.82sec) and London Nights (29.30sec) in heats two and three respectively.

Hutton said of London Nights: “His breeders and owners Mike and George Burton always thought highly of London Nights during schooling and it’s great to see her progressing so quickly following season.

“There’s plenty more to come from her but we need a fast break from her to clear the inside in the semis on Monday, but she can definitely make the final with some luck. She’s got a good burst of early pace which always give her a chance.

“Mike and George put a lot of effort into British breeding and it would be great for them – and us – to line up in the final with one of their home-breds. It looks a good Produce Stakes, is great for British breeding, and we’re delighted to be involved.”

Kiaran O’Brien, deputy racing manager at the Blunsdon venue, said: “Looking at the semis, you’d say the draw has been kind to the McNair team which means they have six potential finalists! That would be something special.

“However, Kevin’s (Hutton) London Nights was all guts when winning his second round heat on Wednesday. He goes in the first semi along with Romeo Rumble (John Mullins) and could bustle up the McNair trio.

“In the second semi King Sheeran continues to impress for Rab and Liz but he renews rivalry with his brother King Lennon, who’s less exposed but still a potential star in my book, but don’t rule out Romeo Ruben (Mullins) here. He’s very strong.”

Form for Monday’s semis:-

First semi: 1 Queen Cher, 2 King Dylan, 3 London Nights, 4 Emotional (m), 5 Romeo Rumble (w), 6 King Cash (w).

Second semi: 1 King Lennon, 2 Waki Racer, 3 Saving Face, 4 King Diamond (m), 5 Romeo Ruben (w), 6 King Sheeran (w).