COPPICE ELLA set the standard in the heats of the 78th Two-Year-Old British Bred Produce Stakes at Swindon with Kevin Hutton’s runner being the only heat winner to dip under the 28 seconds barrier.

Lining up in heat seven and forming the middle leg of a Hutton-trained hat-trick in the heats of the British-bred showpiece, the BGBF British Bred Oaks winner was led early by Romeo Cypher (Tom Heilbron) but came through strongly to grab the Newcastle raider and win by three-quarters of a length in 27.93sec (+20) for the 476m trip.

Hutton’s other heat winners were Union Rebel who made all in 28.03sec (+20) in heat three, leading home kennelmate Southfield Petal for a Hutton-trained one-two, and the latter’s littermate Southfield Poppy in heat eight who led at the bend to score in 28.22sec (+20). Incidentally, Coppice Ella is another member of that litter.

Tom Heilbron also notched a littermate double courtesy of heat one winner Romeo Crusade who led off the second bend to win comfortably in 28.17sec (+20) and his brother Romeo Crossfire who rode a first-bend bump before going on for superb seven and a quarter length success in 28.06sec (+20)

The other Produce Stakes winners were Mike Burton’s Cassidy who flashed out and made all in 28.42sec (+20), Nathan Hunt’s impressive Bang On Edith who made all in 28.11sec (+20) and the Phil Milner-trained Keefil Rocky who finished well to edge out Union Blizzard (Kevin Hutton) in 28.38sec (+20).

Liz Mort, chair of the British Greyhound Breeders Forum (BGBF), said: “Overall it was a really good start to the Produce, albeit it was a shame a few traps were empty. I just hope the message has got out to breeders and trainers that the entry arrangements are different now. It’s not about the litter stage – it’s much more straightforward now.

“We saw some good performances and some 14 different litters are represented, albeit some familiar names are represented – namely the litters from Forest Natalee and Fabulous Skylar – and the form of the recent British Bred Oaks has held up well with Coppice Ella, the winner there, fastest of the night.

“As ever we thank Swindon for hosting this famous competition. The Produce Stakes has been held at the track since it moved from Bristol’s Eastville Stadium in 1997 where it had been hosted since its first running in 1946!

“We’re on to the 78th running this year and we have some cracking dogs and bitches involved and the winner, I’m sure, will go on to make his or her own name in the sport and maybe later on in the breeding paddocks, following previous holders of the trophy.

“These include in recent years the likes of Westmead Joe and Westmead Osprey, Robbie De Niro, Romeo Metro, Take The Crown, King Elvis, King Sheeran, Signet Denver and, last year, the brilliant Queen Joni for the McNairs.

“We’re missing Rab and Liz this year but know they’ll be back. They’ve got some exciting new young litters coming through.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=416304&raceId=1065492