QUEEN DOLLY was quickest in the second-round heats of The English Oaks at Swindon’s matinee fixture on Wednesday as Liz McNair’s in-form team landed a double to add to recent successes at Sheffield and Romford.

With King Dylan and King Lennon currently engaged in both the Coral Essex Vase and BGBF British Bred Derby – with respective finals for the litter brothers on Friday and Tuesday coming – it was no surprise to see the bitches shine, too, with their sister Queen Beyonce (Eden The Kid-Skate On, Feb 2017) also victorious at Swindon.

However, it was the younger Queen Dolly (Leamaneigh Turbo-Queen Asia, Jan 2018) who set the standard as the pup quickly took heat two by the scruff of the neck as she made all to clock 28.05sec (-20) – for good measure leading home litter sister Queen Franklin for a McNair one-two to underline the kennel’s current form once again.

Queen Beyonce, the Derby semi-finalist, followed her younger kennelmates’ lead when winning heat three, pacing up to lead fast-starting Rangefield Lass (Peter Swadden) and stretching away to win by four lengths from the local hope in 28.12sec (-20) with the Kevin Hutton-trained Velvet Matilda in third.

Hutton’s strong challenge for The English Oaks continued in heat one of the second round as Bull Run Byte railed into the lead at the first bend to make all thereafter in 28.25sec (-20) from Swabys Luciejane and another McNair youngster in Queen Tammy. Hutton trained last year’s winner in Ravenswood Flo.

Heat four resulted in a popular success for the Belinda Green-trained Touchdown Erin as the Crayford raider came again on the run for home to edge out Beaming Brae (Jo Burridge) by half a length in 28.53sec (-20), with the pair set to clash again in Monday’s third semi-final of the £15,000 competition.

Jamie Norris, an office administrator at the GBGB, is a member of the owning Touchdown Racing syndicate and was delighted with the victory which now sees the group’s pride and joy in the semi-finals of the Oaks, the showpiece Category One event for bitches in the GBGB Calendar.

“Everytime Erin runs, it’s a real thrill for myself and the syndicate members,” he said. “When we got her in April, it’s safe to say we didn’t have the best of luck, whether it was booking a trial for her or finding a race that would be ideal. Belinda had to be very patient with her and it’s really paid off.

“We had a setback around eight weeks before the Gold Collar was due to start and, given I worked there for many years, I was gutted to miss out on entering Erin for that competition at Crayford. Belinda was unsure initially about entering Erin for the Oaks and ideally we’d have liked a few more weeks preparation.

“It means we know she has more to offer and fingers crossed now for the semi-finals. Whatever happens, Belinda has done a fantastic job this year with the kennel and I know she has plans for 2020 to continue with the progress she’s made in recent years – and I know she’ll achieve her goals.

“Of course, we’re up against the best bitches around at Swindon and, credit where credit’s due, Liz and Rab McNair have revolutionised British breeding in recent years. I’m a big fan of the work and dedication they show to their litters and wish them all the best, as we do all the other connections.”

Monmore trainer Kim Billingham sent out a one-two in heat five as Ballymac Cloud led home Ballymac Saga for a big-priced forecast for the handler, the former leading up and holding her kennelmate by a short-head in 28.63sec, with ante-post favourite Velvet Juliet (Angela Harrison) surviving a scare here when qualifying in third despite first-bend crowding.

Heat six went to Sonic Spur (28.14sec) for the Chris Akers kennel, the July 2017 daughter of Holdem Spy and Bigmans Daisy producing impressive all-round speed to clock a fast time in leading Proud Prize (Lee Field) by three and three-quarter lengths. Ballymac Desire finished third here to give Kim Billingham a third semi-finalist.

Trap draw for Monday’s semis:-

First: 1 Ballymac Cloud, 2 Ballymac Saga, 3 Proud Prize (m), 4 Velvet Matilda (m), 5 Rangefield Lass (w), 6 Dilly Dilly (w).

Second: 1 Ballymac Desire, 2 Bull Run Byte, 3 Velvet Juliet (m), 4 Queen Dolly (m), 5 Queen Tammy (w), 6 Queen Franklin (w).

Third: 1 Touchdown Erin, 2 Queen Beyonce, 3 Swabys Luciejane (m), 4 Beaming Brae (m), 5 Sonic Spur (m), 6 Burgess Lucia (w).