JONATHAN HOBBS: Eyes down for a real festive treat at Hove tonight with the semi-finals of the Coral Greyhound Olympic and the heats of a competition named after one of the all-time greats in the shape of the Ballyregan Bob Memorial Trophy.
The Olympic has a real competitive look about it now given the withdrawal of ante-post favourite Bockos Doomie. Patrick Janssens’ dog remains one of the sport’s brightest stars and greyhound fans can look forward to some potential clashes with Ice On Fire in 2020.
Before then, it’s the semi-finals of the final GBGB Category One event of the year and the McNairs have a strong hand with their three Kings – Sheeran, Dylan and Lennon – doing the business at the right time of year!
But across the board it’s a high-class meeting down on the Sussex coast tonight . . .
Hove
6.39: Seaglass Express could be best drawn in this puppy contest, with Patrick Janssens’ dog set to use the inside line to trouble leading local Killeacle Gus. He ran on well behind one of the McNairs’ hotpots at Central Park last time and is still coming forward.
Play: Seaglass Express
7.17 Seamus Cahill could have the answer in this maiden sprint. His Fosburys Jump showed good pace in a better race last week and a similar burst of pace to the bend – with natural improvement third time up – should do the trick.
Play: Fosburys Jump
7.33 Nice Mystery was knocked out in the heats of the Olympic but Matt Dartnall’s bitch is best when dominating matters – and might here. A healthy lead is needed given strong types like Seaglass Celine and Roxholme Dolly in behind, but every post a winner?
Play: Nice Mystery
8.06: The first Olympic semi-final and tough to look beyond the McNair team here. They send out King Sheeran and King Dylan and, while both are running well, the sharper early pace comes from the outside box – so take an on-song Sheeran to shine.
Play: King Sheeran
8.21: A vacant trap inside Volcanic Reef gives Heather Dimmock’s runner an excellent chance to dominate proceedings again. He impressed in the heats and remains in tip-top form just now. The strong King Lennon next door makes this a shoo-in forecast?
Play: Volcanic Reef
8.38: The third and final Olympic semi is the most competitive – and Desperado Dan could be attractively priced to oblige. He caught the eye in the heats when challenging and then coming again to qualify when crowded out. He’s a real Patrick Janssens powerhouse.
Play: Desperado Dan
Wrapping up the heats of the Ballyregan Bob Memorial Trophy now and Skilful (8.53) could be another Janssens winner in the first heat, although expect a big run from the returning Roxholme Butt. He might need the outing but remains top class.
The other two heats can go to the Mark Wallis pair of Avastorm (9.08), whose early pace might well have the likes of Stardom et al soon under pressure, while kennelmate Antigua Sky (9.26) remains a stayer on the rise and could strike first time at Hove with a run.
Good luck everyone.
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