Roxholme Dream made a successful start to her defence of her William Hill St Leger title in Saturday’s heats over 687 metres at Wimbledon writes Jason Craddock.

Hayley Keightley’s bitch, a 4-6 shot, flew out of the boxes and was soon five lengths clear. Although her stride started to shorten on the run for home she was able to hold off Lowgate Jasper and Fizzypop Magic by a neck and the same in 42.29sec.

Last year’s runner-up Millwards Teddy showed no ill effects of having a tendon removed with a comfortable success in heat five.

Dean Childs’ runner flew out and pulled clear from the opening turn to beat a staying on Borna Champ by just over three lengths in 41.98sec.

Teddy’s kennelmate Droopys Cottage ran on for third.

Diego Flight made an impressive six-bend debut in the last qualifier.

Rab McNair’s runner was led to the third turn by Outdoor Rumble but flew past to go clear and beat There It Is and Mowem Down by six and a half lengths in 41.76sec.

Bullofstonehall justified 2-1 favouritism in the opening heat. Paul Garland’s runner led from the opening turn but had to battle hard to see off the persistent challenge of Racenight Jenny by three quarters of a length in 42.30sec.

Sosaidhs Blue turned the opening bend in third place held every chance in finishing a further length back in third.

Glenpadden Ace was a surprise elimination from the second qualifier.

Barrie Draper’s runner couldn’t find a way past the early leader Jimmy Nailed On and eventually finished a close up fourth.

Meanwhile Jimmy Nailed On and Glenpadden Ace disputed until the last turn where they were joined by Droopys Tamera, who got a bump.

Ribble Atom, in fourth place, flew up the home straight to get up in a three-way photo finish to edge out Droopys Tamera by a short head in 42.02sec.

Jimmy Nailed on was a further short head back in third with Glenpadden Ace beaten a further neck.

Romany Rouge came from last to first to land the third qualifier.

Richard Devenish’s runner dropped out of the boxes as the pace was cut out by Oneco Sky to the second turn.

Mossvale Ace took it up but was passed by Teejayspowerhawk at the fifth turn.

The field bunched up at the final turn and Romany Rouge came flying through to eventually beat Teejayspowerhawk by almost two lengths in 42.20sec. Oneco Sky was a head back in third.

Kevin Hutton has a 1-2 in the sixth heat but not in the way most expected.

Swansalona Diva, the hot 4-11 favourite, took the lead from disputing leaders Mays Magpie and Knockbawn Caviar at the firth turn but was followed though by 33-1 shot Jetstream Lily, who got up close home to score by half a length in 42.60sec.

Fizzypop Buddy was an impressive winner of the penultimate qualifier.

Doncaster St Leger winner Swift Curie led to the second turn but Fizzypop Buddy flew past and he went on to beat Brinleydominic by almost three lengths in 42.03sec.

Draw for the second round will be made on Monday.