WINTER RACING FESTIVAL: Hove is the focus of attention this Saturday night as both the George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial and the Coral Olympic both get underway. There are four opening round heats of the George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial Trophy and six opening round heats of the Olympic. All ten races are previewed with BARRY CAUL ….
Hove Greyhound Racing Preview Saturday Night
All eyes will be on Hove this weekend as the opening rounds of the Olympic and the George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial Trophy get underway on Saturday night. There are four opening round heats of the George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial and six first-round heats of the Olympic. Let’s take a closer look at the best of the action.
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George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial – Hove, Saturday
A stellar entry has once again ensured this will be a hard-fought event. Some of the country’s best stayers will be in action, including the superstar Mongys Wild. The evergreen Garfiney Blaze will also line up, alongside the talented trio of Droopys Flotilla, Deadly Disco, and Bubbly Babs.
In the opening heat, Droopys Flotilla will look to get favourite backers off to a winning start. Currently around 2/5, she should have too much for her rivals. She was narrowly denied in last year’s final and will be aiming to go one better this time around. With three wins from her last four outings and a strong trial recently at Dunstall Park, she looks well placed. Ballymac Nova is expected to chase her home.
Heat two sees last year’s champion Garfiney Blaze take his place in the 18:59. He was stretched over the stamina-sapping 955m trip at this venue last time out, but if that hasn’t left a mark, he looks the one to beat. The current odds do not appeal, and Bubbly Babs could be a better option. A good winner at Romford recently, she has held her own against strong company in recent weeks. She should have no problem seeing out the trip and could go well.
Buddys Bullet is an improving young dog who looks set for a bright future over six bends. This will be his first start over the extended distance, but he appears to be crying out for a step up in trip. With a perfect draw to work from, he is open to plenty of improvement. He ran a big race in defeat last time, and with Droopys Mikado expected to follow him home, he looks poised to go one better.
The final heat of the opening round should go the way of Mongys Wild. Unbeaten at Hove and winner of the Regency here in August, he is a real fan favourite. While the odds won’t make you rich, he is a joy to watch. Deadly Disco,a greyhound with a big engine, can prove best of the rest.
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Hove Olympic – Saturday
Proper Heiress is the standout performer in the Olympic. Fresh from his recent win in the Eclipse at Nottingham, where he broke yet another track record, he heads another strong line-up for this classy end-of-season event. Chelms Bear, Kilmore Dancer, Noellie, and the ever-consistent Droopys Bookem also shape up as worthy opponents.
Kilmore Dancer features in the first heat. He has chased Proper Heiress home on his last two starts and showed big pace in the semifinal of the Eclipse. A finalist in the Gold Collar earlier this month, he should be back to winning ways here. Underground Arlo looks the main danger from this heat.
Chelms Bear takes the inside box in the second heat. One of the fastest greyhounds in the country when he is at his best, he can make the most of the inside draw on Saturday. On occasions he can break well but it’s his power from the second bend that’s his main weapon and he looks capable of holding off another strong runner in Rackethall Brute.
Heat three promises a clash of big names, with Antigua Kestrel heading the market at even money. Kestrel was runner-up behind Noellie in the Gold Collar final and appears in good order. He has only won once in his last ten outings, which is a concern. Table Toppers could race prominently and make all from the front. His recent trial was pleasing, and he looks a likely leader.
Proper Heiress will be all the rage in heat four. Currently a 1/5 shot, a level break should see him race clear of his rivals. In peak form, he could even threaten the 515m track record. Missile One looks the most likely to chase him home.
The penultimate heat sees the consistent Droopys Bookem in the red jacket. Lightly raced of late, he should have no fitness concerns. While it will be his first visit to Hove, the galloping track should suit him well. Newinn Deejay is another who will be doing his best work from halfway and could run into a place.
Gary The Arb will be popular in the final heat. He regularly appears in major events and is always a pleasure to watch. He reached the semifinal of this event last year and will give another solid performance. However, Silverhill Adam impressed over the trip last time out and looks difficult to beat if he can repeat that performance.
Best of luck
Barry
