Hove host their first major finals of the year tonight and what a night it looks to be. There are six finals concluding with the prestigious Coral TV Trophy one of them. Aayamza Royale is looking to become the first ever Greyhound in the competitions history to win it three times. To win it twice is some feat to go alongside the greats Scurlogue Champ, Ericas Equity and Midway Skipper. In a top quality final over 955 metres at 8.54pm, it should not be missed. With the category two competitions the Coral and Brighton Belle and Seasons Scaffolding Puppy Cup finals also on the card, it looks an unmissable night.
Away from the finals there are seven supporting opens and with several greyhounds making their hove race debuts or stepping up in trip, yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about four of them.
Headford Lad trained by local handler Richard Rees is not only making his Hove debut but his race one as well on these shores. In a sprint open over 285 metres at 6.28pm the April ’20 whelp will be looking to get off to winning ways. The son of Laughil Bolt and Headford Biddy has had all his five trials on these shores over C&D showing consistency. He may be making his race debut here but is no novice with four races all at Galway over 480 metres winning once in an A4 graded affair. He is seeded middle and after being drawn in trap one, has a potentially tricky draw to overcome.
Richard on him said: “He needs a run as it is his first one with us. We will see how he gets on. He has done some nice trial times but is not a natural sprinter and will be a four bend runner in time. 500 metres at Hove looks well within his reach. He does have nice early pace though.
“We are still learning about him, but he appears to want to be more middle than his draw in trap one. He does keep a straight line to the bend.
“We will see how he goes and is a watching brief for sure.”
Sponsors Coral are 12/1 for him to win first time up on these shores.
Hove trainer Jamie Kinglsey tries his charge Smuts New Mut in race conditions at Hove for the first time tonight at 7.18pm in the Jimmy Jupp Hurdle over 500 metres. The February ’20 whelp has won three times, with two of those wins coming over the sticks at Central Park over 480 metres.
In three races over the hurdles the son of Droopys Sydney and Lemon Abigail has won twice. That bodes well going into tonight’s race. He has had two trials at Hove over 500 and 285 metres last November so does have some track experience. Over 500 metres he clocked a good calculated time of 29.48.
Jamie on him said: “He is a fast, fast dog. He has had three hurdle races and won two of them. He took to Hove when we trialled him there and his jumping is getting better and better. He is still very novicey. We will probably mix and match him over the flat and hurdles.
“He is good enough at this level and has good early. Since he has been going over the hurdles he is not staying quite as well as he was over flat races. He is fading a bit off the last bend.
“We are happy with his draw in three. The draw has worked out very well for him.”
Ladbrokes are offering 6/1 for him to continue his good form over hurdles at Hove tonight.
Ranchers Tigger attempts her furthest distance to date in the Coral Super Stayers over 740 metres at 9.28pm for Hove trainer Richard Yeates. The January ’20 whelp over six bends has won twice from five attempts. Those wins for the daughter of Bull Run Bolt and Ranchers Queen came over 695 and 712 metres at Hove and Towcester in an S1 affair and an open race respectively.
Tonight, she goes over 740 metres, the furthest so far and if able to take advantage of her draw in trap one could make it three from six over extended trips.
Richard on her said: “The way she is running I think she will get the trip. She will ideally need to lead. She is one of those that does her best running when in front. On the bunny she is a better bitch. At Towcester and Hove she won her races by 12 ½ and 8 lengths.
“If she goes clear she should stay it. The longer run to the bend will definitely benefit her. Hopefully she can make the bend. She has quite a bit of early pace against stayers.
“It is a learning curve to see how she does but we’re hopeful she will run a good race. We’re happy with the draw and have our fingers crossed.”
Sponsors Corals make him a 5/1 shot to win over 740 metres at the very first attempt.
Droopys Supremo for Central Park trainer Mark Fenwick makes his Hove race debut and furthest distance to date in the ‘lucky last’ at 9.43pm in the Coral 515. The October ’19 whelp showed his potential last year by reaching the final of the Romford Puppy Cup over 400 metres. In that category one final won by Brookside Richie the son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Dance finished last after finding trouble in the early exchanges. This year he has had only one race which was last month. He showed no ill effects from his time off by winning an open race at home track Central Park over 480 metres. He had a trial over C&D late last month clocking a decent calculated time of 29.61. He will be expected to improve on that.
Mark on him said: “It will be an interesting debut. First time at Hove in a race and over 515 metres. We think he will definitely get the 515 metres. 480 metres at Central Park is a bit on the sharp side for him. He lacks a bit of early for 480 metres.
“His Achilles heel is his breaking as he can’t give the others a head start at this level. He is a big dog and 515 metres at Hove should be perfect for him. He has good middle but at this class needs to utilise his early pace. He definitely has the gears to win if he comes away.
“This race is a step up in class for him. He is not a puppy anymore and will be interesting to see how he adapts to racing against the top dogs.
“He was off for four months with an injury and won first time up at Central Park. His time at Hove over 500 metres was okay without making any fireworks. We expect him to improve on that. He has his draw as he needs six. He is a black and white striped dog all day long.
“After this we will take him to Towcester over 500 metres to see what he can do.”
Sponsors Corals are offering 4/1 for the former Romford Puppy Cup finalist to take the spoils tonight.
