Minstrels Six lands the Coral 695 Stayers Trophy final at Hove

Minstrels Six lands the Coral 695 Stayers Trophy final at Hove

On a busy night of open race action at Hove, Minstrels Six took the main event with a dominant display from the front. The Jason Heath-trained June 2022 daughter of Ballymac Kingdom won from off the pace in the heats of the competition, so once she popped out and led round in the final, she was always going to prove hard to peg back. Sent off at 9/2, backers never had a moment's doubt as Minstrels Six ran out a three and a quarter length winner in 41.87 with Ivy Hill Cherry taking second from T2 with Rules For Some in third from T1. The forecast paid £23.60 with the tricast £64,94.

A little earlier on the Coral Autumn 285 Sprint open at 6.26 went to the Maxine Locke-trained Kent Silver Salver finalist Beaming Isla who made all over the two-bend trip. The bookies were taking no chances, offering 4/6 but those that took the odds never had a worry with the Romford raider trapping well and making all in 16.38. Kilcash Jack (T4) took second with Guzzler (T6) back in third. 

Thursday night open winners at Hove. Image - Hove Greyhounds X 

Two heats of the Coral 500 Bitches Trophy took place at 6.42 and 6.59 over the four-bend 500-metre trip at Hove. Miss Syd took the first heat by a neck in 29.51 to reward those that snapped up the 10s on offer from bookmakers. Cafe Blue (T1) finished second with Coppice Esme (T3) a short head back in third. The second heat went to the lightly raced Belinda Green-trained Raebelle Bullet from T4 in 29.83. Sent off at 5/2 the July 2023 daughter of Good News met trouble throughout but managed to challenge off the final bend and get up late on to record a half-length victory. Bubbly Athena (T2) grabbed second with race leader Gingers Tali (T3) taking third. 

Next up were three heats of the Coral 500 Maiden Trophy at 7.16, 7.33 and 7.49. The first heat went to Noellie for Paul Young in 29.26 at 11/8. An impressive run from the October 2023 youngster, he looks a nice prospect for the kennel. Heat two went to the odds-on favourite Deadly Ruben in 29.53 with four lengths back to Yougo Jazz (T2) in second. The third heat at 7.49 saw Burrows Ace line up as the 7/4 favourite from T1 and backers were sitting pretty at halfway when the Jason Heath-trained railer hit the front and kicked for home. Ace went onto record a two length victory in 29.69 with Brideside Belle in second from T3.

Division A of the Coral Autumn Standard at 8.59 went to Dazl Hermes at 9s with odds-on favourite Tivoli Milo in second at 4/6. The Ricky Holloway-trained Dazl Hermes pinged the lids and never saw another rival as he went onto record 29.33 over the four-bend 500-metre trip at the Nevill Road venue. Division B at 8.24 did go to favourote backers with Moving Force taking the race from T5 at 5/6 in 29.64. Tea For Me finished second from T1 at 7/4. 

Division A of the Coral Autumn Sprint at 9.16 went to Mavis Mingers in 16.60 at 8/11. The July 2023 daughter of Coolavanny Hoffa trapped well and avoided the trouble at the corner and went onto a seven-length victory with The Hill (T4) back in second. Division B also went the way of favourite backers with Oziblue making all from T6 in 16.59 at 8/11. Roscomroe Hero (T1) chased him home but went down by three quarters of a length. 

Newcastle Thursday open report 

Heat one of the Arena Racing Company Puppy at 7.11 went to Slingshot Blue in 28.66 at 7s with odds-on favourite Blackhouse Lewi beaten three quarters of a length at 4/7. Slingshot Blue pinged the lids and recorded a flying 4.56 sectional and held on well from the staying on favourite. 

Heat two at 7.44 did go to favourite backers, with Racenight Jane (T6) getting the verdict in a photo finish over Glengar Lise who ran from T1. Jane was sent off as the 6/5 favourite but had to work hard, eventually wearing down the leader Droopys Link, who took third from T4. Glengar Lisa rattled home but was denied by the shortest of short heads in a photo finish. 

Two heats of the Arena Racing Company Standard were next up at 8.19 and 8.36. The first heat went to Saleen Ri from T6 in 28.50 at 5/4 with Howay Tonali taking second from T3. The second heat saw Killieford Goram make all from T3 at 6s. Once in the lead, Goram kicked for home and never looked like getting caught as he ran out an impressive three-length winner. 

Upcoming opens:

Saturday: Doncaster

Sunday: Sheffield 

Monday: Nottingham