There was plenty of drama as the 2009 William Hill Pall Mall got into its stride with the first round heats on Thursday.

Pre-race favourite Deanridge Fury went out after a shove from Angie Kibble's Hillcross Orion, who qualified in second spot behind Droopys Bocelli, while Bandit Blue, who unofficially broke the track record in a trial last week, had no equals when trotting up in heat five with impressive time of 26.65.

It was sad night for trainer Charlie Lister, whose Dundooan broke a hock soon after leading by four lengths down the back straight in heat four.

Paddy Curtin's much heralded Soviet Maldini, backed from 14-1 down to 10-1 to win the competition outright earlier in the day, went off at 5-4.

But a tardy start gave the impressive track specialist Brickfield Class first run, and he made his rivals pay with a thu-mping six and three-quarter lengths victory.

Thursday’s meeting co-incided with Co-mic Relief Charity night when red noses (pictured) were much in evidence.

The semi-finals take place on Thursday and the final will be televised live on Sky Sports on Tuesday, March 24.

Finals night is to stage a great marathon event with ‘greyhound of the year’ Flying Winner taking on Wise Maldini and a hound they call the new Scurlogue Champ – Bubbly Eagle.

  • TRAFALGAR Cup winner, Freedom Emma, the bitch originally refused a place in Ladbroke Puppy Derby starting line-up, cruised through to reach Thursday's final when finishing runner-up to Magna Venturer after being crowded at the third bend.
  • THE magnificent sum of £2,100 has already been raised for the Marie Curie Cancer Trust charity meeting on April 25.

Organiser Mick Wheble reckons the trust should benefit by well over £3,000.

  • GILLY Hepden has lost four of her dogs, Zigzag's Bowen, Ocky and Katie plus Roberton Duran following the decision of the owner to take out a trainers licence at Henlow.
  • JOHNNY Mayo's career as a trainer looks secure after being allowed to continue at the late Jim Morgan's base at Worminghall.