GREYHOUND PREVIEW: After the conclusion of the Irish Greyhound Derby Barry’s attention shifts back to the UK where this weekend at Hove it’s the opening round of the George Curtis and Ballyregan Bob Memorial, and also the opening round of the (Coral) Olympic. There are six first round heats in each event, and all heats are previewed along with a recommended Ante Post E/W bet.
Bockos Diamond ran out a deserved and record breaking winner of this year’s Irish Derby on Saturday night, and while the focus will be back on Shelbourne Park next weekend for the eagerly awaited end of year Winter Racing Festival showpiece, we must turn our attention to Hove this weekend where they kick off with the Olympic and also the opening round heats of the George Curtis and Ballyregan Bob Memorial over six bends.
George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial
Five dog heats are certainly not ideal for the opening round of any competition and its sad to see that five dog races are beginning to become the norm. But that is for another day.
Ante post favourite Garfiney Blaze lines up in the opening heat. The son of Ballymac Anton has not raced since June but has a cracking record around Hove where he remains unbeaten after four starts. The five-dog race should be in his favour, and he should prove too good for the strong running Alright Gordy who ideally wants further. Tuono Bella is another who arrives at this event in good form having won three of her last four around here. She will be looking to get the better of Breton Molly early and make all in heat two. The third heat is due off at 19:16 on Saturday evening and I am hoping Innfield Charm can go well here at a decent price. Charm has not won since June but has run numerous solid races in defeat. This is not the strongest heat of the opening round and from an ace draw on the fence, he may prove too good for Maleficent and Minstrels Six. Hopiehopiehopie and Move Over Ogie will dominate the market in heat four. Hopiehopiehopie was formerly known as Ballymac Katie when trained in Ireland and she looked a potential star over staying trips early in her career. She took a fall when last seen in action and that must be of concern, but if she is back to anything like her best, she should be hard to beat in here and I fancy her to go well in the event at around 16/1.
Droopys Flotilla ran well when last seen in action around here. On that occasion she was picked up close home by Garfiney Blaze. I think this 740m trip is as far as she wants to go, and she will be vulnerable in the closing stages. Ower Smasher looks to be the one in this heat. Hopefully, he can track Flotilla in the initial stages and prove too strong in the second half of the contest. In the final heat I will side with Coffee Time Guys to get the better of Beach Babe. The selection ran well over this trip on November 7th and hopefully he can but his recent course experience to beneficial use. I expect the pair to dominate but will just side with Coffee Time Guys.
Olympic
The opening round heat of the Olympic will start at 18:26 on Saturday evening. Proper Heiress moved well in a recent trial and has a good draw to work from on the fence. He was a little unlucky in a couple of runs around Nottingham but can get back on the winning trail here at the expense of Newinn Benni.
Barntick Bear is another who brings in recent form from Nottingham. Again, the Bear was not blessed with the best of luck in that event, and he looks a cut above his rivals in heat two. He already smashed the track record at Towcester back in October and is so strong over this sort of trip. It will be a much stronger event with the likes of the excellent Barntick Bear in it and he should prove too good on Saturday night. Antigua Forky can follow him home.
Aayamza Sydney will be popular in heat three off the back of his record breaking run over six bends at Romford. This is not a bad heat and if he were to go off at skinny odds, I would be keen to take him on on his switch back to four bends. While Droopys Pivotel can get the better of Gun Slinger in heat four.
Fan favourite Candolim Monsoon is set for an epic battle with Antigua Kestrel in heat five. Monsoon has some excellent form around here including when winning the Sussex Cup back in 2023. He will need to step up on his recent trial form, but he can make his experience tell and get the better of the exciting Antigua Kestrel who will surely improve for this first look at the track.
Droopys Plunge goes in the last heat of the night. The son of Droopys Sydney arrives here with a big reputation and it would be a shock were he not to deliver. He finds himself near the top of many Ante Post betting lists and he will be looking to lay down and early maker in the opening round.
Antepost Bet:
Hopiehopiehopie 16’s: Ballyregan Bob E/W 1-2-3-4
Proper Heiress 14’s: Olympic E/W 1-2-3-4
1 pt Each Way Double.
All The Best,
Barry
