2026 George Curtis & Bellyregan Bob Memorial final

George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial finalists

The £10,000 to the winner final may have been delayed a week but it gives back-to-back weekends at Hove with a feature race on the card, and what a cracker it looks. A multiple Category One winner taking on a St Leger finalist as well as some improving types over staying trips, there is plenty of intrigue.

1 - Zenith Boom - Jimmy Fenwick - Mr B Nadir - 9/2

Gave Vhagar a good run for her money in the heats, finishing just half a length behind her. He looked for all the world like he was going to get his head in front that day but it was his first look at the track, and perhaps that just stopped him getting the job done. 

He produced a very similar effort on the clock in the semis after a two-week break, with connections deciding not to give him a trial between whereas some of his rivals were kept ticking over. Has only had 11 starts in his life so is the one in here with the most future upside with this final just his fifth start over six bends. Has to be a massive player.

2 - Drombeg Flash - Michelle Brown - Mr C Chesson, Mrs H Kemp & Mr D Redmile - 10/1

Was 2/2 in Ireland over six bends and was pitched straight into the heats of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger at Dunstall Park on his debut for this kennel. He missed out on a semi-final spot by a length and a head, and has done well since with wins at Towcester and in his heat of this competition. 

Was only beaten half a length in his semi-final by Candolim Typhoon, powering through from the back. It will be interesting to see how prominent a position he can gain on the inside around the opening couple of bends as he is more than capable of playing a role.

3 - Malcolm Bosh - Angie Kibble - Mr J Miles - 25/1

Strong runner makes things difficult for himself by getting left behind early before making up the ground hand over fist in the second half of the race. Is always going to need plenty of luck with the cards falling right in front of him but this is not his first rodeo.

He was a close third in the final of the St Leger at Dunstall Park in September, beaten just a neck in total. If either the winner Droopys Flare or the runner-up Zenith Pasha were in here, they would be favourite, so 25/1 is big enough for a dog in his third Category One final. 

4 - Broncos Bullet - Belinda Green - Messrs Adamson, Barry, Boyle & Hatcher - 33/1

The oldest in the field is just a couple of weeks away from turning veteran but it did not stop him finishing an excellent second to Vhagar in his semi-final, beaten less than three lengths. That was the second quickest time produced by any of the six last weekend. 

It is going to take something a bit special for him to turn that around without some trouble in running but he has gone one stage better than last year when getting knocked out in the semis.

5 - Vhagar - Mark Wallis - MWD Partnership - 8/11

Has really hit form again this autumn, winning six straight ahead of this final. This is the sixth time that she has made a Category One decider, winning three of her previous five, all coming on different tracks at Oxford, Monmore and Sunderland. Her winning time in the semis was not only the quickest of the year so far but less than two lengths off Mongys Wild's quickest of 2025.

She has proven herself one of the top stayers in the country over the last year and a half, and another one of her quick exits will put her into pole position once more. She cannot afford to miss the break though as there are some strong stayers in here looking to capitalise on any mistake. 

6 - Candolim Typhoon - Derek Knight - Candolim Six - 5/2

Has been a revelation since stepped back up in trip by connections, winning seven straight times over six bends at this track. The quickest starter in the field inside of him should be a plus as she can give him plenty of room to operate heading into the opening bend to get a decent position. He is not a true wide runner, however which is going to make things interesting. 

He has been doing plenty of running in the middle portion of his races to get himself to the front coming out of the backstraight, challenging on the inside of a middle runner on both straights last week in his semi-final success. Where he makes his challenge could be all important. 

Conclusion

It really is a fascinating final in prospect over the 740m distance. It is no surprise to see Vhagar favourite as her semi-final display was the best in the competition by a fair margin. She did not see off Zenith Boom by all that much in the heats, however, with Jimmy Fenwick's dog looking all over the winner for a large part of that contest. 

He has to overcome a slightly different draw in one but there is not masses of competition in terms of early pace on the inside. A level break can see him lead the pair to his right and that is going to give him the first crack at running down Vhagar, assuming of course she times her break and gets away. 

It is hard to discount anything from making the tricast spot, with the nod just going to Candolim Typhoon who has been exceptional since stepping back up to six bends. He is more of a mid-rails dog rather than a genuine wide runner so he is going to have to pick his path through carefully. 

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