The Coral Olympic and George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial finals are due to take place a month today and some of the potential big players have already began their preparation.

Tonight’s pre-meeting trial session sees the return of the leading Olympic hopeful Hollow Man along with Derby finalist Cochise, who, as a 708m (or 716m!) Cesarewitch winner, could conceivably be considered an option for either.

The KSS Syndicate are likely to field their highly rated Queen Shakira is another Olympic possible, though Produce Stakes winner Queen Joni, who trials over the sprint course this evening, seems more likely to head to Sheffield for the British Bred Derby.

June Harvey’s Ower Smasher will be a leading contender for the 740m Hove event and is coming to hand nicely after a period off the track in the middle of this year.

The fastest over the 740m course this year, Smasher looks to make it three wins from her last four starts when she lines up for tonight’s trial stakes at 8.38pm.

Among the six bend trialists, Belinda Green’s 2023 Monmore Puppy Derby winner Bradys Bullet continues his preparation for a return to competitive action with a 740m solo.

Things haven’t quite gone like clockwork for the lightly raced July 2021 son of Good News and Early Rise.

But as he showed at Monmore, his six bend potential is staggering.

Thoughts of Bradys Bullet co-owner Billy Boyle –

Puppy Derby Champion Bradys Bullet continues his comeback with a pre meeting trial this evening at Hove
Photo: © Steve Nash

A nine race card over at Shelbourne Park in Ireland tonight with three of those carrying the name of the Winter Racing Festival. 

The prestigious night which until recent times was known as the Night Of Stars takes place at Ireland HQ on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December.

As usual the cards are all set to be filled with quality and it was good to see two of England’s leading kennels confirm plans to take runners over this week with Seamus Cahill announcing the intended participation of St Leger Champion Droopys Clue and Kevin Hutton likewise with his Oaks runner up Jet Stream Angel.  UK attendees of which there are many will be hoping one or two more are added to the list yet.

Thoughts of Jet Stream Angel’s trainer Kevin Hutton 

Towcester have been known to push the boundaries of the rules of racing. So while there is no doubt that today’s ‘open race card’ is within GBGB rules, even by Towcester standards, it is ‘imaginative’ .

Among the more interesting entries though, Frank Gray introduces an August 2022 half sister of Ballymac Wild in the 500m Racecourse Standard at 11.23am.

Makeit A Breeze (ex Ballymac Turin) couldn’t have wished for a better make up on her competitive debut. With a vacant trap to her inside and four greyhounds to her outer who have all been running from outside boxes in moderate enough affairs of late, she will have every chance of getting her career up and running at the first time of asking.