Hove racing manager Jeff Piper is hoping to have a new trainer in place by the time the Coral Sussex Cup gets underway in July.

The 2018 event will run with identical conditions as the 2017 contest – when Shaneboy Freddie took the £10,000 first prize – with the final to conclude with Glorious Goodwood on August 2.

Jeff said: “We are looking for a new trainer with a minimum of 15 runners to replace the sad loss of Paul Garland.

“At the moment we have around 375 dogs on the strength, which is traditionally low at this time of year with bitches in season, but I would like at least 400.”