MONMORE trainer Chris Allsopp’s double handful in the £8,000 Betfair Pall Mall paid off handsomely as his second string Brittons Empire (6-1) caused a surprise in the big race at Oxford Stadium last night, writes John Gaisford.

Allsopp’s other runner, 7-4 favourite Ballymac Ace, was not at the races with his worst-ever start at Cowley and was never going to repeat last year’s success.

It left kennel-mate Empire to dominate from the off, with Dromana Ace, out of trap six, the only real challenger, but three-quarters of a length adrift at the line, where Empire posted 26.91secs.

Oxford hope Aherlow Shaw was never in the hunt after crowding at the start and second bend.

LAST NIGHT’S RESULTS 7.20: 1 WHITE NOSE GIRL 2-1 jt fav, 2 Darcys Revenge 3-1. Trio (4x3x6). Trainer: Baker. Time: 27.65. Pennys Lola (5) 2-1 jt fav.

7.40 1 SILVERVIEW PERKY 7-2, 2 Fairway Fusion 4-1. Trio (4x3x5). Trainer: Lister (Unatta). Time: 26.97. Droopys Boo (6) 3-1 fav.

8.00 1 TICTAC GOLD 12-1, 2 Sleeping Urban 6-1. Trio (6x3x2). Trainer: Peterson. Time: 15.01. Rotar Wing (2) 5-4 fav.

8.15 1 YAHOO JAMIE 4-6 fav, 2 Rathglass Hero 10-1. Trio (4x1x6). Trainer: Lister (Unatta). Time: 26.99.

8.35 1 CENTURION ENERY 7-1, 2 Wise Totty 10-1. Trio (6x2x1). Trainer: Young (Romford). Time: 40.16. Droopys Arshavin (1), Lorrys Options (3) 3-1 jt fav.

8.50 1 MINNIES PENSKE 5-2, 2 Fatzboyz Slim 9-4 fav. Trio (6x5x3). Trainer: Kyme (Hall Green). Time: 53.11.

9.10 1 HEADITON JASON Evens fav, 2 Brer Doe 14-1. Trio (1x3x2). Trainer Allsopp (Monmore). Time: 36.84.

9.25 1 UNION JAK JAKSON 4-5 fav, 2 Greenacre Josh 4-1. Trio (1x3x2). Trainer: Clarke (Kinsley). Time: 26.97.

9.45 Betfair Pall Mall final: 1 BRITTONS EMPIRE 6-1, 2 Dromana Max 6-1. Trio (2x6x3). Trainer: Allsopp (Monmore). Time: 26.91. Ballymac Ace (1) 7-4 fav.

10.05: 1 BARRY JOHNS BOY 2-1 fav, 2 Adamant Brian 4-1. Trio (6x5x3). Trainer: Colton. Time: 27.46.

10.20: 1 SWIFT KEP 7-4 fav, 2 Ceann Alainn 9-4. Trio (6x5x4). Trainer: Atkins. Time: 27.56.