Disco is Deadly for Rees while Heiress proves sublime

Picture from Hove X feed

Deadly Disco and Proper Heiress land Hove's final Cat Ones of 2025

It was on January 4 earlier this year that Deadly Disco made his UK debut for Richard Rees. He has shown throughout the campaign that the level of talent that he has is right out of the top drawer, he was just struggling to put it together on a consistent basis. A semi-finalist in three Category One events prior to the George Curtis and Ballyregan Bob Memorial, he landed the big one that his ability deserves at Hove last night.

He was first to show from the traps but Cartoonist showed the best early gears to go clear for Craig Morris. At 33/1 he would only have tied for the biggest-priced winner of the night had he held on but he lost nothing in defeat, eventually finishing fifth. Deadly Disco got his head back in front as they turned for home and with Mark Wallis's Garfiney Blaze being checked up on the final bend, the Rees runner pulled out enough.

Mongys Wild never really got himself involved from the inside draw after finding a bit of early trouble but did run on late to grab third, only beaten a head and half a length. Ballymac Nova came home fourth for Pamela Cross with Buddys Bullet rounding out the field for Belinda Green. He was the only pup in the race though, so he needs this effort marked up a touch.

The other big final on the night was the Coral Olympic where Proper Heiress's victory has almost certainly made him the Greyhound of the Year. He has been on the Category One hunt since January when making the final of the Blue Riband as well as finding time to head over to Shelbourne on a journey to the final of the Boylesports Irish Derby.

As soon as he got to the front, the race was all over bar the shouting, with the only question to answer being, how far? The answer was seven lengths in the quickest time of the year for the 515m distance of 29.39. 

Moving Force was the one to chase him home for Seamus Cahill, with Underground Arlo rounding out the medal positions for Paul Young. Two more Wallis inmates in Newinn Deejay and Table Toppers finished fourth and fifth with Cahill's Missile One the other finalist. 

Both Rees and Wallis had winners on the undercard with Avarua Lake and New Destiny respectively. There was a treble for Seamus Cahill to lead the way on the night with Dark Madam, Cloneena Boyce and Cmon The Brom all picking up victories for the local handler. 

The biggest priced winner on the card as already alluded to was the 33/1 win for Belinda Green's Jacktavern Mojo. He was the slowest of the three heat winners a week ago but he timed his break to perfection to land the Coral Christmas Trophy. 

Others winners on the card were Oriental Cory for Paul Young, Marvellous Mabel for Luke Morrison, Slaneyside Ross for David Elcock and Carrigoon Milo for Jamie Kingsley. 

Four doubles up at Central Park

Maxine Locke was one of the four trainers who picked up a pair of winners at Central Park, though the kennel had some other strong chances through the evening who could've made it an even better night. Two Spot and Razldazl Myway were the pair for Locke, both enjoying a decent recent spell at the track.

Gingers Prince and Newinn Ginger were the two who picked up wins for Patrick Browne, the first in a tasty Category Three final which lived up to the class as the sole 491m contest to dip under 29 seconds on the night. The latter has won both of his starts over the 664m distance here which will open up plenty more opportunities for him in 2026.

Spencer Mavrias saw Lets Go Girl and Hollybanks land a brace for his kennel, the first turning over last week's top performer at the track, The Other Chief. She has won three of her first nine starts but still gives the impression that she is very much in the learning stages. Hollybanks clicked at the third time of asking for the kennel.

The Robert Emery team doubled their tally of open race winners for 2025 with victories for Bombay Hilda and Reality Power, both over six bends. The duo both turned over odds-on favourites in their respective successes.

A pair of odds-on favourites who got the job done at cramped odds were King Presley for Liz McNair and Capel Moon for Tony Gifkins. Half Jarred won for Julie Luckhurst and Bumble Belles scored for Dan Brabon to round out the winners for the night.

Donny Doubles for Grayson and Lapidge

I was at Doncaster last night, a track that often struggles with slow ground this time of year. Last night, however, it was outstanding, kudos to the track staff for having the sand in excellent nick, rewarded with a good sized crowd as well with Christmas one the horizon.

Kirsty Grayson picked up a pair of winners courtesy of Newinn Archie and Haggard Badger, both from the striped jacket. The latter notched up a hat-trick of track wins, quickly in control on the run to the bend and never looking in any trouble. The former was the opposite, forcing his head in front right on the jam stick to take the win.

There was also a double for Samantha Lapidge. The final race of the night went to her Gothic Joshua who has improved massively in recent weeks. He had been set some pretty stiff tasks when with Kevin Boon but his confidence is sky high now and his 27.39 win was the performance of the night. Maybe Sydney had landed a maiden sprint earlier on the card to kick off the double.

Rental Crisis got back to winning ways for David Fradgley, despite a very slow getaway. Luckily his talent got him out of trouble to get up in the final stride. Phil Milner's Droopys Glam won the other open on the night, pacing up well to make the bend level with Tiermana Lucky, she ran a better second bend and kicked away down the back.