In two weeks time one dog from each competition, will be taking home the Grand Prize of £20,000 for the PGR Regency Final and £10,000 for The Coral Sussex Cup Final. Both Category one competitions are steeped in history and offer a chance for the 72 runners to join respective prestigious roles of honour.
A history lesson to begin, and maybe something that will interest ante post backers regarding the Regency as there seems to be a correlation between TV Trophy winners predominantly, plus a significant number of runners up, going on to win the Regency or vice versa. A few to name dating back to prime time racing era is Scurlogue Champ who took both titles in 1985.
Further on, Suncrest Sail in 1995 took his chance at Hove to then land the TV Trophy win the following year, as did Killeacle Phoebe, Spiridon Louis, Flying Winner and Aayamza Royale!
Although there will be no show of Jimmy Fenwick’s fabulous Bellmore Sally, who won this years TV Trophy at Crayford, there is one previous winner that lies in the ranks of Oxford trainer Matt Dartnall who has the top two in the ante post betting.
A dazzling performance from the mighty Space Jet on Derby Final Night was spine chilling. Perhaps the winner of the Regency in a few weeks time may be our potential TV Trophy winner next year.
Frank Bryce’s 2022 Regency Finalist Baggios Champ lines up in the first heat at 6:09. Taking his second stint at the competition, coming fifth last year to Troy Suzieq who had everything to do from a tricky draw, he didn’t disgrace himself. His last appearance was back in December and his been very lightly raced on the build up with the competition in mind to save him for. Since returning he’s set the standards high again posting 41.72. His electric early and a good draw should set himself in a good position to take the first heat. The main rival to him will be Coonough Crow on the rails, but last weeks performance has shown he was too good for the Grand Prix winner on this occasion, and standing at 20/1 Ante Post for some firms, I have high expectations for him to reach the final again! 4 – 1 – 6
It was never really in doubt how good Lively Lauren would be, already having set a track record at Oxford for the 650, and finishing runner up in the Brighton Belle. She’s got everything. She is favoured with an ideal draw, and is coming into the Regency with Grade A form having beaten Space Jet in a trial and has very strong claims as a potential finalist here. A switch of tracks however has kept her keen and ready as last Thursday saw her take out an easy win at Swindon in preparation. Possibly not expected to lead her kennelmate in the box next door, but she’ll be following in behind to organise a grandstand finish! 1 – 2 – 6
Followers of the ante post favourite Space Jet will be expecting a big run after her exceptional Dorando performance two weeks ago. The list of this bitch’s attributes is so long that she doesn’t necessarily need things to go all her own way. She can make her move at any point. It’ll just be a matter of when, and when it does, Hove will send in to raptures. Although Matt Dartnall’s veteran hasn’t posted quicker times than some of her opposition, she will be one of a few who can through the line hard, smart and agile, and is a no-brainer selection. 2 – 6 – 3
Frank Bryce is double handed for this years Regency, and following on from Champ, Baggios Emoski is higher in the ante post betting than his previous years finalist. Emoski is better suited to the demands of the shorter staying trip at Hove having a flash of early, and the stamina to hold off the lesser experienced Gutsy Jet. Kevin Boon’s runner has form from only six starts but Emoski is well capable of a ‘low 14’ sectional, there’s no issue in her staying ability here either. 3 – 1 – 6
It was very difficult to oppose Savana Heross off the back of a rampant victory at Towcester which simply outstayed Teds Dexter, but the pair meet again but in different circumstances. With a better break, and being devoid of trouble, which Nathan’s runner was unlucky with last Saturday, I truly think he can turn the tables this time around. Heross comes without ‘a look’, something that may not be a drawback for backers of the white . But the selection stayed on very strongly last week after all the commotion at the start and he finished within 4 ½ of the winner. He’ll need to bring his trapping boots , but still a classy sort. 6 – 3 – 1
There were so many ways to look at this race. Who gets in front first? Who’s likely to stay stronger? In the end, Droopys Senorita’s 41.80 was hard to ignore. I like the look of Romeo Turbo, plenty of middle pace, and Turkish Lira on her outside whos been in good form in top company recently was also in mind – given an eye catching performance in her most recent outing from last to second following a weaker break than normal. Yet it was still only Senorita that I could side with. She is a bitch who is built for, and is proven for the further distance. But with space on her inside, and some clean bends, coming off the fourth will be when she starts to power through. 5 – 6 – 2
Now we cast our eyes upon the Sussex Cup and Belinda Green’s Derby finalist Ninja Kerry who will be looking to defend his title.
Well drawn Rathnagore Syd has a strike rate of three from five in the red. He has already beaten the market favourite in this race when the pair were in opposite boxes and looks better suited to the rails. If Syd breaks even and holds his pitch to the first, it’ll be a case of ‘catch me if you can’. If not, he will have to find a way of winning a harder way. Yet he suits the distance and track well and there’s no reason as to why he couldn’t cause an upset here! 1 – 3 – 4
An impressive start to English racing with two wins out of three races, both on the open scene at Hove, Beggers Bullet kept finding more against Macho Camacho. An improved break from last week should see him lead this field, and I’ve no doubt there’s plenty more to come. Belinda Green middle seed is only just turning two. This may well be the competition to find his feet . 5 – 1 – 6
As the saying goes, you shouldn’t go against a bitch in form, and I’m certainly not going to start here. After making back to back Brighton Belle finals, winning one and finishing a respected 3rd in April, Whats Up Eva has been non stop. An unfortunate outing to Towcester saw her finish towards the back of the field, but a win in the past week alongside a streak of four successive wins means she is the one to beat.. 2 – 5 – 6
An impressive yet, unexpected winner of a very scintillating field for the 2023 Brighton Belle Final, Betsys Bullet is the selection. Her recent form includes running Bradys Bullet to a neck in a recent trial. Before that, she ran Derby Finalist Ninja Kerry to a length. She can lead this field home. Hot on her heels will be Havana Top Note who’s put a good time on the board in the most recent Sussex Cup Trial stake. Nonetheless it’s another exceptional heat where a winner could appear from anywhere . . . 2 – 3 – 1
By far the hottest heat of the night, and Fabulous Azurra is the pick. She showed how relentless she has been for Patrick Jannsens, putting in an amazing performance on Derby final night to fend off the strong running Faypoint Susie. With a recent visit too, a switch closer to the rails will help her this evening as she’ll look to break even and use the bend to her advantage. Obvious claims lie within the hands of Fromposttopillar. However the presence of Thunder Black on his inside can make his job of winning a lot more difficult leaving Fabulous Azurra to push for her spot in the draw for next week! 1 – 5 – 3
Drive On Lad looked the full picture when collecting first prize for the KAB Maiden Derby and went deep into the Derby too. A return to home soil however, has put him back in the winners circle. If he can keep breaking like he showed last week to lead Candolim Monsoon, he looks set to chase down the likely early leader in the stripes. But once again it is another highly contested field and a great one to round the night off. The selection will more than likely be a playable price with the likes of Ninja Kerry returning champion, and highly regarded Newinn Ranger. 2 – 4 – 6
