GREYHOUND PREVIEW: In this week’s preview Barry looks at the best of the action from Hove on Saturday where they host the finals of the Ballyregan Bob and George Curtis Memorial as well as the final of the Coral Olympic.
As the end of year approaches, we still have some cracking action to look forward to on both sides of the Irish Sea. After the wonderfully successful Winter Racing Festival at Shelbourne Park, we now look forward to the Christmas Oaks, Shelbourne Marathon and Gold Collar at the famous Dublin venue. While in the UK this weekend we have the finals of the George Curtis and Ballyregan Bob Memorial and the final of the Olympic.
Towcester also have an exciting meeting planned for Dec 21st.But our focus this Saturday will be at Hove.
George Curtis and Ballyregan Bob Memorial
🟥 Breton Molly
🟦 Hopiehopiehopie
⬜ Garfiney Blaze
⬛ Coffee Time Guys
🟧 Droopys Flotilla
🔲 Tuona Bella
A cracking line-up for the £10,000 to the winner six bend showpiece. Garfiney Blaze was favourite prior to the start of the event, and he still finds himself at the top of the market after an impressive campaign in the event thus far. Blaze is unbeaten in the competition and has impressive form figures of 11111 from his five outings! Blaze can go up better than last week and will be looking to get the better of the well-drawn Breton Molly in the early part of the contest. If Blaze was to lead its hard to see anything coming from off the pace and pick him up. Hopiehopiehopie may be the exception. She looked a greyhound with a huge future when formerly known as Ballymac Katie when trained in Ireland. All has not gone to plan since her switch to the UK, but she does seem to be finding her form in recent weeks, and you get the impression there is a big run on the card when everything clicks.
Coffee Time Guys ran well in defeat latest but looks to have a tricky draw in four and his six-bend record now stands at one win from eight. Droopys Flotilla and Tuona Bella would also much prefer a draw closer to the rails and if they are to have a say they must flash from traps. Garfiney Blaze is the one to beat but with the short run to the bend it does give hope to his rivals. I have long been a fan of Hopiehopiehopie and strongly believe there is a big run to come. I’ll side with her to get the better of the excellent Garfiney Blaze.
The Olympic
🟥 Aayamza Sydney
🟦 Proper Heiress
⬜ Missile One
⬛ Droopys Pivotel
🟧 Barntick Bear
🔲 Droopys Extragud
Again, the trap draw will has had a huge bearing on the final with all six-runners having a preference for the fence. Aayamza Sydney has the best of the draw, and he is a real star be it over four or six bends. He ran well to qualify last weekend and if he can find one of his better starts, he will surely be on the premises at the business end. My selection in here will be Proper Heiress. I liked this dog from and early age. He impressed around Enniscorthy at a young age and has since shown big pace around Nottingham and Sheffield but has taken another step forward in this competition. With a decent break he should have to much early pace for Aayamza Sydney and if he can get to the front it’ll take a huge effort to pick him up.
Barntick Bear is a greyhound with a huge engine but has a tricky draw out in five. He came from off the pace to score in his semifinal last weekend but will need the gaps to appear at crucial stages. Missile One made all in his semifinal but its hard to see him getting across Proper Heiress on the run to the bend. Droopys Pivotel and Droopys Extragud are others who just lack that yard of early pace against the top performers and need a little luck. I’ll side with Proper Heiress to make all and see off Aaymaza Sydney and Barntick Bear.
Good luck to all connections with a runner.
Hopefully some of you got involved with our ante-post double advised Nov 28th
Barry
