Brighton Belle card – Hove
The semi finals of the Coral Brighton Belle and heats of the Hove Puppy Cup are due to take place at the Sussex stadium this evening.
Racing Manager Rob Abrey believes both events have more than held their own at a competitive time of year for open race competitions.
He said: “We had 41 entries for the Brighton Belle (36 required) and 25 for the puppy competition when we were looking for 18. Both events seem to grow year on year and it was a tough job having to exclude the additonal runners.”
Ante post: 6/4 Crafty Shivoo, 5/1 Queen Joni, 15/2 Queen Shakira, 12/1 Havana Bale Out, Queen Georgia, 14/1 Allowdale Cazoo, 18/1 Minnie Bullet, 20/1 Betsys Bullet, Droopys Eunice, 25/1 Queen Dusty, 28/1 Droopys Auntie, 33/1 Coppice Ella, 40/1 Southfield Daisy, Bubbly Bombay, 80/1 Selsey Bullet, 100/1 Couldbeastar, Rapido Lady, 125/1 Montana Angel
Results: Brighton Belle 1st round results
Videos: H1-Void race H2-Allowdale Cazoo Ht3-Crafty Cazoo H4-Betsys Bullet H5-Droopys Auntie H6 Bubbly Bombay
Rob has kindly offered a personal insight for each of tonight’s 11 opens.
“There is plenty of quality in here with (PGR) Puppy Derby semi finalists in Gary The Arb and Clona Kody. Droopys Dialogue has done nothing wrong winning four in a row. He needs to lead. But will he is here? It is so tough, with so much early. Kody has shown his ability in coming from behind and that should hold him in good stead.” 6-2-5
“Obviously there will be plenty of interest in the Monmore winner Untold Dollar who was really, really impressive in his trials here. He looks the one to beat without a doubt but you’ve got Droopys Display in there. He was a finalist in the Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle. Ballymac Zari was particularly impressive last week from trap three. But on the draw, I think Untold Dollar can just outkick Sweet Still on his inside and lead all the way.” 2-6-5
“We have four locals in here including Monmore finalist Getup Me Champ. Good Couture trialled very well though has this come a bit soon for her? You can be certain that Princess Athena (Liz McNair’s Judgement Night puppy) is sure to improve with the benefit of a look. Last Dance Amigo did an excellent trial. But on the draw, it will be Getup Me Champ. 1-5-2
“Quarteira was turned over last time out by the local runner Moustows Muttley who is at the top of his game. Clonmoyle Rockie has very good early, but does he have sprinter’s early? He doesn’t come away like a sprinter. If you were looking to take the favourite on, then it might be Guzzler on the outside but it is 3-6-5 for me.”
“Moustows Muttley is in five this week but from trap six has won his last three. His trapping ability at the moment is so impressive, he absolutely ‘pings’. Forever Billy has been running well and Molly Maid, getting on a bit now but has a good record over 285 and in the trap one draw that she loves . . . . but all things considered it has to be 5-1-6”
“None of the Queens won a heat last week which was surprising so (Queen) Shakira she would have to have a chance but the three might not be ideal for her given the trouble she found last week. But I’m going to go with Allowdale Cazoo who has a lovely draw in five and ran so well last week. I would expect her to come on for that run. She is very strong too.” 5-3-1
“The word impressive doesn’t sufficiently describe Crafty Shivoo. That 29.80 (-20) run for 515 was rapid! I can understand why she is 6/4f to win the final. She is fine from that draw but with her early pace, the draws don’t really matter. It’s a case of who is going to finish second. I think it could be Betsys Bullet. She won’t go down without trying. 3-1-4
“I think Queen Georgia is slightly better drawn than last week, though still not ideal. She really wants the rails. Queen Joni was involved in the no-race last week, but she still did get a look at the track. We know how good she is. Droopys Auntie has also impressed me and looks a real Hove dog so I think she could pinch the qualifying place.” 1-6-3
“As a one-off it really is aq very good race. You’ve got (Eclipse winner) Newinn Syd in one, (Champion Stakes winner) local favourite Hollow Man in two, probably the most consistent greyhound at Hove, who keeps making finals, Clairekeith Remy in three, Untold Taka who has run very well in good company recently in there too. I’ll go with the local dog, Hollow Man to win it but Clairekeith Remy won’t be far away. He never is.” 2-3-1
“You won’t see may runners – who run wider than Lucky Sevens – at Hove or anywhere. Fleadh Cailin is coming on in leaps and bounds and looks ideally drawn in three.” 3-6-1
“Drive On Lad doesn’t need any introduction here or anywhere else and he has a perfect draw in one. Shotgun Jim missed out last time but in good company against Eire Buckle. Chelms Lambo contines to improve for George Andreas, he stays pretty wide and that could work to his favour here.” 6-1-2
We are also at the semi final stage of the ARC Laurels at Perry Barr where Racing Manager Martin Seal gives his own expert insight into the night’s opens (comments below each race).
Results: Laurels: First round results
Videos: H1 Links Maverick H2 Wicky Hiker H3 Acomb Irene H4 Jet Stream Angel H5 Acomb Felix H6 Eze
Ante post: 7/4 Links Maverick, 8/1 Jet Stream Angel, Wicky Hiker, 12/1 Acomb Felix, Bettys Jack, 14/1 Acomb Irene, Front Alice, Vixons Filofax, 20/1 Eze, 22/1 Fair Joe, 25/1 Acomb Johnny, Tullymurry Jenga, 33/1 Swift Prank, 50/1 Brickwork Ruck, Kilwest Ranger, 66/1 Blake Delight, Inca Gerry, 125/1 Strideaway Roxy
Jet Stream Angel broke first and made every yard in her heat, and once again the draw has been kind to Kevin Hutton’s talented bitch.
Acomb Felix shrugged off early crowding to grab the first bend lead last week, and was never headed thereafter. Kevin Ferguson’s black is sometimes underrated, but is definitely a player in this first ARC Laurels semi final.
Vixons Filofax qualified comfortably, and the switch to trap 3 could see Brian Thompson’s charge come away a lot better. Eze turned back the clock to ultimately win pretty comfortably, courtesy of a sparkling burst down the back straight, and more of the same may be required this evening.
Acomb Johnny followed the lead of his litter brother by turning in a strikingly similar performance, and a place in next week’s £12,500 to the winner grand final would surprise no one.
Strideaway Roxy defied lengthy odds to reach the penultimate stage, and is likely to have the outside all to herself. Sel: 1-5-3
Perry Barr is represented by five in the ARC Laurels semis, and four of them meet here. Tullymurry Jenga stayed on a lot better last week, and John Lambe’s blue has the right draw to mount a serious challenge here.
Swift Prank may have to make his move from off the pace, but is a determined individual, and is no one trick pony. 480m is probably about Fair Joe’s limit distance-wise, but such is his early boot that a first bend lead is well within his capabilities.
Brickwork Ruck had plenty of work to do at halfway in his heat after twice having his ground taken, but rallied to great effect to claim a qualifying place in the last few yards. The trap 4 runner will need the gaps to appear at the right time, but has a chance.
Inca Gerry looked to be on his way out in his heat after a slow start, but tracked cleverly to claim the runner up spot. Improvement on the clock is likely to be required though with just the first two set to qualify.
Kilwest Ranger justified Tony Harmes’ faith with a battling display, and is expected to share the pacemaking duties if timing the start correctly. Sel: 1-4-2
This third semi would do justice to a lot of Cat 1 finals, and with proper early pace almost everywhere one looks, mistakes can be afforded by no one. Links Maverick didn’t panic when led early last week, and produced a polished display to win a shade comfortably and justify cramped odds. Drawn in red, Tom Heilbron’s black may move off a touch on the run up, but that may not prove an issue.
Wicky Hiker continues to impress, but this is the big time now, and Phil Barlow’s likeable brindle is asked his toughest question yet. Front Alice arrived without the benefit of a trial, and looked in a bit of trouble when relegated to fourth place with less than half a lap to run, but dug deep to qualify in third, and could produce an improved effort with that outing under her belt.
Acomb Irene returned to form with a vengeance post seasonal rest, and could be devilishly difficult to keep out of the qualifying places if turning up in the same sort of form.
Blake Delight found himself on the back foot out of the boxes last week, but ran on with such conviction that he claimed the runner up spot right on the line, and could reward punters at juicy odds in the coming weeks.
Bettys Jack set a searing pace in last week’s opening heat, not throwing in the towel by any stretch of the imagination when passed at the third turn, and will need no invitation should his rivals get caught up crowding at any stage. Sel: 1-4-6
