DROOPYS MANDOLIN is favourite to become a sixth Irish-trained winner of the event after setting the standard in the second round of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks at Perry Barr on Saturday – on a night the home-trained challenge was led once again by another double from Nottingham trainer Barry Denby.

While Denby landed the last two heats courtesy of Ballyhimikin Mel and Bellmore Lola, it was the Robert Gleeson-trained Droopys Mandolin – one of now two English Oaks semi-finalists for the Irish Derby-winning handler – who posted the fastest time of the night when running amok in heat two of the bitches’ Classic.

Pacing up well off a decent start, the Irish raider clocked the fastest sectional of the night (3.48sec) before racing into a commanding position, the September 2021 daughter of Laughil Blake eventually crossing the line four lengths clear of Queen Georgia (Liz McNair) and Charming Girl (Patrick Janssens) in 28.03sec (normal).

Barry Denby posted a double in the first round and again landed back-to-back Oaks heats, this time in the second round, as first Ballyhimikin Mel (28.69sec) produced a strong-running performance to score by four-and-a-quarter lengths from Freedom Vesta and Ballymac Astra in a crowded affair, before kennelmate Bellmore Lola (28.36sec) rounded off the night with another show of all-round pace to score in heat six from Jet Stream Angel (Kevin Hutton) and Starshinestunner (Richard Rees).

Nathan Hunt’s Antigua Bingo came through strongly after early crowding to win the opener, a heat in which the Romford and Monmore trainer had three runners as part of a strong entry for the Classic which he famously won at Belle Vue in 2017 with Wuheida.

A September 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney, Antigua Bingo (28.23sec) finished best to collar Whats Up Eva (Richard Rees) and edge that rival in a rousing finish in which both Allowdale Cazoo and Droopys Fidget – both kennelmates of the winner – also finished close-up, with the latter missing out on Saturday’s semi-finals.

“It was certainly a mixed night and frustrating to have three in the same heat,” said Hunt. “Fidget ran well and was just unlucky to be drawn in that heat but she’s getting stronger with each run – she’ll head to Notts for the Eclipse now.

“Bingo showed her run the week before was no fluke, tracked clever from a not-so-ideal draw in five, but showed real determination to catch a classy bitch in Eva. Cazoo keeps improving and stayed on very well to qualify.

“We’re pleased both have avoided each other in the semi-finals and just hope we get a clear run with them both and hopefully at least one can make the final.”

There was disappointment for LIz McNair after ante-post favourite Queen Joni finished fourth in the heat won by Droopys Request as a burst of early pace from the Monmore raider saw Chris Fereday’s outsider lead at the turn and then hold the strong No Rush (Carol Weatherall) by a short-head in 28.58sec.

Third here was the Robert Gleeson-trained Droopys Ailsa, a kennelmate of the night’s fastest winner and new Oaks favourite Droopys Mandolin.

However, the McNair team did strike gold with Queen Shakira in heat three as the British-bred favourite led into the turn and won by almost five lengths in 28.25sec ahead of Home Bronagh (Connor Smith) and Baywatch Bullet (Belinda Green).

Trap draw for Saturday’s semi-finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks: https://www.perrybarr-greyhounds.co.uk/racing/