2024 PGR Regency and Coral Sussex Cup

Dual Category 1 action on Saturday at Hove

A huge big-race double-header at Hove on Saturday night sees the start of both the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Regency (695m) and £10,000-to-the-winner Coral Sussex Cup (515m) – and where do you start?

And to get you into the mood, our thanks to Sam Wellard for the following. . .

6.08 All eyes will be on Haka Carlo who’s hit a nice period of form for new trainer Jason Heath. He won well on Star Sports English Greyhound Derby Final night and goes well if overcoming a midfield pitch with a slick exit. If not, Ower Smasher might get first run and perhaps reverse form with her trackmate – especially if able to dominate.

6.26 Magical Luna might be an interesting runner to take on likely hotpot Ballymac Taylor. The latter is the Dorando Marathon champion but steps back down in distance for this six-bend Cat One. Magical Luna certainly caught the eye behind Haka Carlo in a prep race last week. Rule out PGR Golden Jacket winner Dazl Rolex at your peril. 

6.42 Cooladerry Dust ran-up to New Destiny in the Coral Coronation Cup and will look to frank the form of the Romford event. Nathan Hunt’s dog could go well here if trapping smartly outside and might always have his rivals measure here. Bubbly Scorcher is a consistent sort also well pitched inside and will show his all-round to play a part.

6.59 Tromora Rex catches the eye stepping up in trip – given she’s bred to stay! A half-sister of the likes of Ballymac Taylor and Haka Carlo, John Mullins’ dog won well in a fast time at Towcester recently and could set the tempo tonight. However, Lively Lauren is on the comeback trail and will soon be prominent. Baywatch Bullet likewise.

7.16 Is Coonough Crow worth taking on given her likely short odds? Probably not given her overall class and exceptional 2024 so far as the Kent St Leger champion, even though Mark Wallis’s bitch was beaten in the Towcester final. She should get back on track here but others might represent value with Turkish Lira an option as a consistent local.

7.33 They are old rivals but Queen Georgia could have Savana Heross’s measure again – if leading. Liz McNair’s runner led home her rival in the 3 Steps at Sheffield and her pace and power might always hold sway. She looked good over C&D after being caught by Haka Carlo at Towcester. Riverside Shari catches the eye second time up.

7.49 Romeo Command has made a brilliant return to form and lots of credit goes to Patrick Janssens and the team for getting back to his best. He won the British-bred event at Towcester on Derby final night and can pace up handily in this heat. Miami Bullet is strong throughout. Antigua Forky is open to improvement just third time up.

8.07 Edwards showed up well in the Derby for the Patrick Janssens team and might continue in the same vein here. He improves for a trial and might always hold away if pacing up, albeit youngster Table Toppers is improving, while the Hove gallop should really suit stamina-laden Clona Curly. Local hope Newinn Benni is superb early doors.

8.24 Belinda Green’s Gary The Arb might spoil the party for defending Sussex Cup champ Candolim Monsoon. The latter makes a welcome return to the track tonight after a long spell off and will improve for smart trials. However, the draw for the railer looks a tough one. The powerful Gary The Arb starred at Towcester and looks well housed inside.

8.41 Wasted Monday will have plenty of local support here as another popular sort makes his return to the fray tonight, albeit only after a short break. Belinda Green’s runner is a powerful all-round pacer who should soon turn handy and pile on the pressure. Trackmate Ower Mystery has all-round gears. Queen Leona finishes well inside.

8.59: What a race we have now. Greyhound of the Year Droopys Clue versus the Coronation Cup heroine New Destiny. Both are powerful and prolific winners, soon in the mix here. Preference on the draw might be for the inside runner for Seamus Cahill. He was imperious on Derby final night – and last week – and looks back to his best.

9.16: Newinn Syd chased home King Memphis in the Olympic last year and boasts top-class form over C&D. The draw looks superb inside, albeit this might be a confidence-boosting win for Mark Wallis’s runner after having no luck in the Derby Plate heats. Breton Brigitte is flying just now and respected and Never Say No remains a threat if trapping.