HAVANA TOP NOTE rewrote the record books at Oxford on Friday as Liz McNair’s runner initiated a double for the kennel in heat one of the Bet365 Challenge Cup – setting new figures for the 650m trip at the Cowley track in the process.

The April 2021 son of Eden The Kid and Mean Beauty paced up well and was always in command before coming home over three lengths clear of Mad For Sterling (Mark Wallis) and Maglass Brave (Richard Rees) in a new best for the six-bend distance of 39.29sec (normal), clipping 18 spots off Droopys Creative’s previous best.

The McNair double was completed in heat two by last year’s St Leger winner Havana Lover (Laughil Blake-Love Honey, Aug 2020) who came through a real tussle with New Destiny (Mark Wallis) before holding that rival’s renewed challenge by half a length in 39.45sec (normal). Third place here went to Alright Patricia (David Lewis).

Lively Lauren, who has held the track record twice, continued her return from a spell off with victory in heat three as Matt Dartnall’s bitch was soon in front and on her way to a two and a half length success over Aayamza Sydney (John Mullins) and Coppice Warrior (Kevin Hutton) in 39.44sec (normal).

The victory delighted Joe Andrews, who part-owns the February 2021 daughter of Ballymac Anton and Art Of Illusion with Andy Pritchard, and believes further improvement is more certain than not after being on the sidelines recently.

Andrews, who produces the Gone To The Dogs podcast (https://uk-podcasts.co.uk/podcast/gone-to-the-dogs) with Dani Jackson, said: “We’re over the moon with Lauren’s win and it’s great to have her back running in competitions.

“Matt decided to give her a break after the St Leger and it has really freshened her up, and she’s getting stronger each week. Gutsy Jet went past her after the line in the trial stakes but she ran strongly to the pick-up in the heats.

“It was always going to be tough whatever the draw given it’s a high-quality event with 12 excellent greyhounds left in the competition, and she’s got two fast starters either side of her, but hopefully she can break out well and have a trouble-free run to the bend. Hopefully she can finish in the first three and reach her fourth Cat One final.”

Gutsy Jet finished best to land the spoils in heat four as Kevin Boon’s in-form sort came through a duel with Minnie Bullet (Mark Wallis), joining issue approaching the final turns before the February 2021 son of Lenson Bocko and Riverside Honey scored a half-length victory in 39.70sec (normal). Teds Dexter (Nathan Hunt) qualified in third.

Friday’s semi-final draw:

First semi: 1 New Destiny, 2 Lively Lauren, 3 Havana Top Note, 4 Mad For Sterling (m), 5 Teds Dexter (w), 6 Alright Patricia (w).

Second semi: 1 Maglass Brave, 2 Aayamza Sydney, 3 Minnie Bullet, 4 Coppice Warrior (m), 5 Gutsy Jet (m), 6 Havana Lover (w).