JONATHAN HOBBS: Eyes down for the first major four-bend competition of the year with heats of the Coral Winter Derby at Hove.
Coral Winter Derby at Hove… won last year by Liz McNair’s King Turbo, the Central Park trainer again has a strong hand in this year’s event which is staged over the Sussex venue’s ‘new’ 500m distance. King Sheeran rates her best chance of success – he should be supported ante-post.
Winner of the British Bred Derby, as well as the Olympic at the back-end of the year, Derby semi-finalist King Sheeran starts and stays well and can improve for last year’s return over C&D where in-form Antigua Romeo led him home. He can reverse the form.
Sidaz Jet is a bigger price in the ante-post market, but Matt Dartnall’s might be worth each-way support. He has lots of early pace, has a fantastic red-jacket draw in his heat tonight, and could be one to catch throughout the £10,000 event.
So, two against the field for the Coral Winter Derby are King Sheeran and Sidaz Jet – and both figure strongly in tonight’s heats ….
Hove
7.49: King Sheeran can kick off his campaign with a win. He runs the track well and will improve for last week’s comeback race behind Antigua Romeo, who re-opposes. However the latter has lots of pace inside to contend with given Fayes Jet, Volcanic Reef and Waikiki Lad all looking to domInate. Sheeran can keep wide and out of trouble.
Play: King Sheeran
8.06: Heat two looks an interesting one given King Lennon is a red-hot favourite. However, while the best dog in the race, he could move off from the blue jacket, plus has the pace of Brave Venture next door. He’s a favourite to take on? Aero Turbo needs to raise his game from a recent trial but is a good trapper and rates a speculative wager.
Play: Aero Turbo
8.21: Sonic Spur should be suited to Hove’s gallop. The Oaks finalist starts and stays well, especially given she reached the final of the Yorkshire St Leger last year. A decent trial over C&D can be improved on tonight and she pounces should main market rival Killeacle Gus not be foot-perfect from the boxes.
Play: Sonic Spur
8.38: Drahbeg Dash ran well here during the Olympic, winning his heat but unfortunately for connections being withdrawn ahead of the semis. Back on track, the Perry Barr raider has trialled back well on home soil and over tonight’s C&D. The draw suits and he’s stronger coming home than main rival Jakes Magic.
Play: Drahbeg Dash
8.53: Make No Apologie has run some good races at Hove and can come through a good battle with King Louis. Both are still young improving types, with stripes having won a recent Central Park event. However, the black jacket has a chance to match T6 for early pace and use the inside line to kick on.
Play: Make No Apologie
9.08: The sixth and final Coral Winter Derby heat and Sidaz Jet could make the most of the inside draw. He’s a solid early pacer with every chance to dominate and can bounce back from last week’s defeat. That was a hot event – and this looks one of the weaker qualifiers. That said, Winetavern Curly is a real improver and a powerful sort.
Play: Sidaz Jet
Good luck everyone.
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