Thursday night open report – Hove and Newcastle

Thursday night open report – Hove and Newcastle

Twelve open races took place at Hove last night with doubles for the Richard Rees and Carl Gardiner kennels.

Zenith Aslan (T1) took the Coral Summertime 500 Maiden open race at 6.08 in 29.32, leading late on to deny Mr Funky Monk who attempted to make all from T4. The pair were well clear of the third and both look nice types and worth keeping on side in the coming weeks.

Next up it was the turn of the sprinters with two heats of the Coral 285 Sprint Trophy competition at 6.26 and 6.42. The first heat went to odds-on favourite Broadway Murty (4/5) from T2 in 16.11 with the second heat going to Beaming Isla (2/1) in 16.47.

The Coral Summertime 695 Maiden Stayers saw Droopys Extragud line up as the 6/5 favourite from T2 but following early trouble, the Heather Dimmock-trained railer turned nearer last than first and this race was suddenly wide open. Bubbly Flame (T5) led round and made all in 42.10 to reward those that took the 7s on offer from bookmakers. Bonoandutoo finished second from T6 with Zenith Angel (T1) back in third.

Images from the Hove Greyhound Stadium X account

The Coral Summertime 500 Standard open race at 7.16 went to Swords Hero from T2 with odds-on favourite Bluejig Baron who lined up from T5 back in second. Swords Hero popped out and was clear at halfway and took the race by a length and a half in 29.45 at 6s.

The Coral Summertime 695 Stayers at 7.33 saw Proper Dangeress line up as the 4/9 favourite but following a slow start the Central Park raider was out the race. Glemmavis (T4) tracked the pace and hit the front at the fifth bend and went onto record a five-length victory in 41.67 with Minstrels Six (T5) back in second. The forecast paid £43.59, well done if you found that one.

Next up was the Coral Summertime 500 Standard at 7.49 over the four-bend 500m trip. Bombay Birch was sent off as the 4/5 favourite from T6 but couldn’t land a blow on Droopys String who made all from T2 in 29.46 at 11/4. The Carl Gardiner-trained railer held off a late challenge from Broadway Shay (T1) to record a half-length victory.

Images from the Hove Greyhound Stadium X account

The Coral 500 Standard Trophy final at 8.07 went to So Cool from T5 with an impressive quick-away-made-all success in 28.87 at 11/4. Missile One finished second from T3 with Hopes Kitty back in third from T2.

The Coral 500 Maiden Trophy final at 8.24 saw the Belinda Green-trained railer Raebella Bullet line up as the 8/13 favourite from T3 but, following a slow start the July 2024 Good News could only finish fourth with Rebel Charles taking the race from T1 in 29.64 to reward those that snapped up the 7/2 on offer from bookmakers. Clona Bingo ran a nice race from T6 to grab second with Yougo Dixie taking third from T5.

Two heats of the Coral 500 Bitches Trophy followed with Clairkeith Liana (10/11) taking the first at 8.41 from T3 with a short head back to Marston Jess in T2 and Teddys Sister in T6. In a thrilling finish, the Carl Gardiner-trained Liana stuck her neck out to take the race in the judge's box by the shortest of short heads. Heat two went to Kelvins Hat with a dominant display from T1. Sent off as the 8/11 favourite the Seamus Cahill-trained railer popped out, recorded a 3.53 sectional and took the race by just under three lengths in 29.33. Bossy Bullet (T6) and Signet Morgan (T2) finished second and third.

The final race at the Nevill Road circuit Hove went to Chaddy Boy from T6 in the Coral Summertime 515 open race at 9.16. Sent off at 11/4 backers of Chaddy Boy were sitting pretty at halfway with him half a dozen clear of Bowmers Wildcat from T5. Off the final bend, it was down to just over a length, and it was race on. Wildcat challenged up the inside of Chaddy Boy but couldn’t quite get there with the official winning distance recorded at a neck in 30.19. Ballydarly Jack finished three quarters of a length further back in third from T1.

Newcastle open report

Seven open race took place at Newcastle on Thursday, August 14 with the Ted Soppitt kennel landing a double with Sunnyside Jayden and Sunnyside Broxi.

At 6.53 in the Arc Sprint open race over the two-bend 290-metre trip Sunnyside Jayden was sent off as the 4/11 favourite and backers didn’t have a moments worry as the July 2023 son of Coolavanny Hoffa pinged the lids and made all in 16.85 with two- and three-quarter lengths back to High Jack (T5) in second. 

The Soppitt double on the night was completed when Sunnyside Broxi made all from T1 in the ARC Stayers open race at 7.44 over six-bends. Broxi was sent off as the 13/8 second favourite and from a plot draw on the rails he led round and kicked for home. Race favourite Ballymac Lineout (T2) met trouble at the corner and Broxi skipped clear of the chasing pack to take the race in 39.06 with Greenwell Bolt (T3) back in second.

Division One of the Arc Maiden at 7.11 went to favourite backers with Magical Ruby running out an impressive winner from T4. Following a flashy 4.52 sectional Ruby led round and took the race by one and a quarter lengths in 28.61 with Howay Tonali (T3) in second. Favourite backers were in clover as division two at 7.27 went to Donishall Rose who was sent off at 10/11 from T3. The August 2023 daughter of Ballymac Bolger led out of the second bend and took the race in 28.89 by just under three lengths.

Two divisions of the ARC Bitches followed with heats run at 8.19 and 8.36. The first division went to the Jimmy Fenwick-trained railer Coppice Saphire from T2 in 28.58 in a strong staying performance from the daughter of Ballymac Cashout. Coolavanny Mercy led round from T6 but couldn’t hold off the challenge from Fenwick runner late on. Kennelmate of the winner Skeard Josie finished second from T4. Division two at 8.36 was a thriller with Makeit Mead (T3) getting up late on to deny Racenight Jane (T6), who attempted to make all. The winner recorded 28.84 with the forecast paying £9.36.

The final open race from the Byker venue, Newcastle, went to Toddys Tank who paced up well to lead round and make all in the Arc Standard at 8.54. The Tom Heilbron-trained runner recorded a five-length success in 28.53 with Tyne Tees Richie back in second from T3.