JONATHAN HOBBS SATURDAY: Finals aplenty take place at Hove on Saturday night as the Sussex track hosts a real end-of-year greyhound racing gala – featuring the Coral Olympic, Coral Brighton Belle, George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial and Kathleen Kis Memorial.
Five finals in all, with a kennel sweepstakes event thrown in for good measure, and another appearance from the evergreen and hugely popular Aayamza Royale as Mark Wallis’s star goes in the 740m decider having already won the Regency and TV Trophy at the same venue.
Eyes down for the pick of the races.
Hove
6.28: Blastoff Mason makes his return to the track and can kick-start what might be a fine night for Seamus Cahill. He’s drawn inside main rival Matts Malibu and, if coming away fresh and fast, his local form and efforts across the tracks in 2021 might well be enough.
Play: Blastoff Mason
6.43: If Freeky Pumbaa gets first run on Fight The Power then Belinda Green’s might always be forcing the issue. He won his Olympic heat before a missed break in the semis and, with Ritzy Flyer next door heading inwards, should solo to the front if trapping.
Play: Freeky Pumbaa
6.58: Troy Suzieeq steps back up in trip after competing in the Brighton Belle and, back over six bends, should pace up into contention here from the get-go. However the battle early between David Mullins’ in-form bitch and Distant Move next door could be crucial.
Play: Troy Suzieeq
7.18: Lanzo was just run out of things in the Sussex Cup semis but could bounce back in the consolation. The early pace of Richard Yeates’s runner soon puts pressure on the likes of Ballymac Gaybo next door and stronger types Drumcrow Brent and Candy Man.
Play: Lanzo
7.36: Another cracking sprint now and Scala Omeara arrives in cracking form. Nathan Hunt’s runner was just touched off over 400m at Romford last week but has the all-round speed to thrown down a challenge from the get-go. Newinn Tik Tok is back and capable.
Play: Scala Omeara
8.17: An outstanding George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial Final now and Aayamza Royale is always a huge player despite advancing years – she was brilliant in the heats. However kennelmate Blueberry Bullet gives Mark Wallis a huge hand in this with the 11-time champion trainer (12 this year!) training four of the finalists given Antigua Lava and Aayamza Dream also in. A lead inside looks on the cards for the blue-boxed Blueberry Bullet, although expect Burgess Elite to be competitive early on. Maybe the race will be set up for Aayamza Royale which would raise the roof. However the vote goes the way of T2.
Play: Blueberry Bullet
8.38: The Coral Brighton Belle Final now another high-quality affair featuring the Oaks champion Ballymac Trend. However Seamus Cahill has a strong hand with home-bred litter sisters Pocket Lola and Lulu, with the former fancied to get first run on these with a slick start. Lights Out will be finishing fast and is often in the mix.
Play: Pocket Lola
8.54: The Coral Olympic Final and Trumps Benefit looks a threat to all if turning handy after a power-packed finish in the semis. However, the likes of Seomra Razl and Smurfs Machine are likely to turn in front of the Sheffield dog and Seamus Cahill’s back-to-form 2020 English Derby finalist could escape round the outer. He arrives as the only unbeaten runner in the event and could get away. A big mention to Faughan Rebel who is back after a long spell off the track and has made this Cat One for connections. Superb.
Play: Smurfs Machine
9.12: The fifth and final decider is the Kathleen Kis Memorial trophy Final where Jason Heath’s Indesatchel can build on a solid heat performance. This highly rated ex-Irish performer posted the fastest time and a good make-up here suggests the double is on.
Play: Indesatchel
9.28: Droopys Original might always be dominating this Bitches 500 event. David Mullins’s runner was caught late on in her Brighton Belle (515m) heat but this slightly shorter trip could work in her favour. A six-box draw can also aid her cause.
Play: Droopys Original
Good luck all.
@Hobbsy67
