Smart times at Hove plus a treble for Carl Gardiner

Photo from Gary Garner

Gardiner claims Hove honours with three winners

Carl Gardiner broke through the 20 open winner barrier in style at Hove last night with a treble, taking him to 22 on the year. He has a way to go to equal his best of 37 in 2024 but has now comfortably surpassed his 2025 return.

In a six-bend final, it was Clairekeith Mary who made every yard of the running for Gardiner. She had been running well over four bends before a slightly troubled run early in the heats of this competition when sent off at 6/5. Those who kept the faith were never concerned and rewarded at 9/2.

Exotic Princess got the ball rolling with the opening leg of the treble. She too got herself to the front early on and given how neatly she runs the bends here, it was always going to be tough to run her down. This was only her third start back from seasonal rest, and already her second win in those runs. 

At 22/1, the win of Droopys Prospect was comfortably the biggest price on the evening. He just had his nose in front crossing the line the first time round, though was comfortably outpointed for middle pace by Slick Scout who went a good four lengths clear at one point. Credit to the winner for digging deep and running that one back down again.

The opening race of the night saw a win for Carrigoon Milo to kick off a double for Jamie Kingsley. He had been well touted up as a live chance in the East Anglian Derby, and paced up well here to get himself back on the scoresheet. A stiff four bends just stretches him but he has the early pace to get himself far enough out in front.

Sussex Cyclone took a 515m contest at the main expense of Droopys Alldeway. She is well suited to the red jacket here, backing up a win over the same distance back at the end of August when getting the better of Coral Sussex Cup winner Smokestack Saxon. This time it was an ARC Birmingham Cup finalist she beat, getting a real knack of taking big scalps round here with some smart early gears. 

Paul Young was another man to pick up a pair of winners on the night, led by Copney Queen. She was runner-up in the Sussex Cup, showing some of her best form here. It was a decent bitches contest that she got the best of here, getting herself to the front at the third bend after losing out at the opening bend to Rebel California who had paced up best.

It was a little more straightforward for Droopys Nanette who quickly got herself to the front to score over 500m. Her two prior wins had come in A5 and A4 grade at Romford and she seemed to relish the opportunity to stretch her legs on a more galloping circuit. A litter sister to Craig Morris's Lady Gambet, she looks a nice type herself. 

Not having Scooby The Lady in opposition made for a better night for Brunch Pal who justified his short odds to bolt up for Dave Lee. He had given that superstar a scare on a couple of occasions at Central Park, returning to Hove. to run the third quickest 500m of 2026, just three spots shy of Annadown Warrior who leads the way.. 

There was also as third quickest time of the year in a sprint at Avarua Lake got the job done for Richard Rees. This was a third win in a row from him, making it 10/17 since joining Rees. His debut for the kennel was last December so he has not been over raced but has shown some very smart form.

There was a win from Smokestack Saxon over 515m for Jason Heath, just one winner for the kennel this week after a fortnight of domination. He got to the front early on here, eventually crossing the line five lengths to the good, dipping under 30 seconds in the process. 

Derek Knight got a very smart win over six bends from Candolim Typhoon who stopped the clock in 41.65, with a winning margin of more than eight lengths. He had done the job nicely the week prior when returned to six bends, backing that up with an impressive display of middle pace from the third bend. 

Broncos Bullet took the other open on the card for Belinda Green. Another six-bend contest, he got himself to the front relatively early on in a race where there was plenty of experience over the distance. 

Liberty and Lewi land Newcastle wins

There were just two invitationals on the Newcastle card last night with Romeo Liberty producing the quicker time of those. Tom Heilbron's charge saw off a field that included a Category One winner and there further finalists at the top level. His early pace won him the day, a 4.53 split seeing him in control of the contest from an early stage. 

Stuart Ray took the other with Blackhouse Lewi. He has enjoyed a successful spell over the last few months, winning six times in his last 13 starts, with three each in A1 and open race level. Having made the corner in front of his fellow inside runners, he took advantage of some trouble outside of him to slip into the lead halfway around the opening two bends and never looking back.