He Went Whoosh and Kinda Easy are the leading contenders for the Tech Shop UK Cesar-ewitch after they set this year’s event alight in the qualifiers on Thursday.

The Claud Gardiner-trained Hove Runner He Went Whoosh (4-7), a previous winner of the Cesarewitch, gave his rivals no chance with an electrifying start in heat 2 to come home six lengths clear of Wise Maldini, posting 39.41.

The Mark Wallis-trained Kinda Easy (4-7), who has beaten He Went Whoosh a number of times in open races at Sunderland, had a virtual solo in the opening heat after a pile-up on the first bend.

And he was in no danger after coming home six lengths clear of Autumn Recession in 39.70 for the 645 metre trip. There was a big shock in heat 3 though as Paul Swadden’s Swindon raider came out on top at a handsome 12-1 over 4-6 favourite Raving Black, trained by Sean Cahill.

In the Tech Shop Uk Maiden Derby, Bill Black’s Poole runner King Robbie ruled OK and proved fastest of the three qualifiers when posting 26.98 to beat local runner Pawsey’s Pride, trained by Angie Kibble, by some four and a half lengths.

Bowtime Lofty (7-4 fav), trained by former football star Andy Heyes at Belle Vue, made short work of his rivals with a two and quarter lengths victory, posting 27.22 in heat 1.

Addington Beau (8-1) made the most of his early pace in a troubled race to win by two and a half lengths from Nick Colton’s Jaytee Tiger in 27.23.

Oxford hopes in the Maiden Derby lie with Pawseys Pride and Jaytee Tiger in the finals on Thursday.