WALTHAMSTOW handler Mark Wallis holds the key to Tuesday's opening heats in the Ian Pattinson Trafalgar Puppy Cup, judging by the trial times posted in the last few days.

His Seanis Lad clocked an impressive 26.96secs, while Lockdale Diamond returned 27.03.

But while they may be the early fancies, the Dave Mullins-trained Church View Gold, a winner of five of his seven open races, will command respect as will former Oxford trainer Dan Childs with Droopys Judith, winner of her last two open races at Reading.

Don't overlook Ardmayle Champ despite his bad trial.

More than half of the 39 entries were turned down for the 18 runner line-up for the event open to March 2006 or younger whelps.

The race, the first big event on the calendar, is regarded as a good guide for the bigger races to come and the competition, first run at Wembley in 1928, has been held at Oxford since 1998.

Previous winner Cooly Cougar went on to win the Champion Stakes at Romford, and Horseshoe Ping landed the Scurry Gold Cup.

The last Oxford trainer to land the trophy was the late Jim Morgan with Careless Dragon in 1981.

Angie Kibble's Isle Of Tara and Paddy Curtin's newcomer Glenroe Sandra carry local hopes with the former trotting up in 27.20, but has a best clock of 26.88. Sandra made an impressive debut on Tuesday posting 27.01 and there's sure to be more to come.

The final will take place on Saturday supported by several open races over varying distances.

PATTINSON CONSTRUCTION 78TH TRAFALGAR PUPPY CUP TUESDAY'S HEATS Heat 1: Drink Up Zorro, Droopys Judith, Lockdale Diamond, Elwick Starview, Isle Of Tara, Droopys Lotto.

Heat 2: Church View Gold, Droopys Cantona, Ardmayle Champ, Seanis Lad, Tells Michelle, Unique Picture.

Heat 3: Darkdesert Oasis, Moveit Honcho, Glenroe Sandra, Baliff Merc, Broadacres Rocco, Secretariat.

THE sudden death of top grade Sparta Flyer has left the Terry Kibble kennels and its welsh owners syndicate shattered.

The dog collapsed and died after running on Saturday from what is believed to have been a heart attack. Flyer was prominent on both open and graded race scene.

BALLYMAC Gloria, formerly with Dean Childs at Oxford has whelped a litter by Droopys Maldini. There are six dogs and one bitch.

THE Midland Greyhound ball, the highlight of the year where top dogs, trainers and kennelhand awards are presented is on Sunday March 30 in Birmingham. Tickets at £35 are available from Lin Armstrong on Oxford 778222.

THE January statistics saw the wide runners get some of their own back although trap 2 top-scored with 58 victories.

OTHER TRAPS: trap 1 (32), trap 3 (51), trap 4 (46), trap 5 (52), trap 6 (51).