Its all about the ladies this evening as this years Coral Brighton Belle getting under way at Hove stadium. There will be six heats run over the 515m distance with the first three from each heat taking their place in the semi finals ( Sat 20th April).
A well supported competition that boasts some of the top class ladies currently in the sport including the reining Brighton Belle 2023 winner Betsys Bullet ( trained by Belinda Green & owed by Mr W Boyle, Mr G Hatcher & Mr A Ryan).
After speaking with Hove’s racing manager Rob Abrey , it was encouraging to hear of the entries received, unfortunately some difficult decisions had to be made. I was also pleased to hear that the supporting opens will all be £500 to winner on the final night, hopefully something we can see more of in the future .
We had 41 entries in the book for the Brighton Belle which was really pleasing. The competition has well and truly established itself on the open race calendar. To get that amount of entries for a bitches only comp is something else. The quality of entries was was very strong with the five missing out also of a high standard. Mark Wallis and Liz McNair mean business with six entries apiece, however the local entries look strong and you can never underestimate the Hove ladies, especially reigning champ Betsys Bullet.
I’m really looking forward to seeing the drama unfold On finals night (27th April) we have two supporting finals in the shape of the Coral Puppy Cup & the Coral Sprint Trophy. We will also have the Brighton Belle consolation race so those who go out can have a shot at redemption. Along with those finals, the supporting opens will be worth £500 to the winner. It should be a cracker of a night.
Rob Abrey ( Hove Racing Manager )
Heat 1 –
Queen Joni for Liz Mc Nair looks the one to beat here. The Kent plate winner looks set to dominate the race early. She comes prepared with a win last time out over the C & D in a winning time of 29.97 (-10). With five railers drawn in this heat avoiding any trouble early on will be the aim for all. Burrows Ruby for Jason Heath could get a nice pitch on the inside. Selsey Bullet for Belinda Green is no stranger to Hove and although not ideally drawn in the orange jacket, is strong over distance.
Heat 2 –
An interesting heat which see’s Minnie Bullet in Trap 1, another classy lady for Mark Wallis. She is yet to run at Hove but is no stranger to top class company and drawn well in the red. She’s a strong runner who can make all in the closing stages of the race. Golden Wings for Jamie Kingsley is well housed in the stripes, possesses great early pace, and could take the early lead . Allowdale Cazoo for Nathan Hunt will be one to watch in the closing stages, a strong finisher clocking a 30.16 ( -20) when finishing 2nd behind Crafty Shivoo in her recent trial.
Heat 3-
Another market leader here in the form of Crafty Shivoo for Mark Wallis. Just coming right out of her season, clocking a 29.73(-20) in her recent trial. She will be looking to dominate early and get the rail pitch. She will need to clear Havana Bale Out for Liz McNair, winner of the 2023 Coral Sussex Cup Consolation back here in July 2023 winning in an impressive 29.59.(+10). Coppice Ella for Kevin Hutton has a decent make up on the outside. The youngster comes to Hove following her time running through the Monmore Puppy Derby .
Heat 4-
Reigning Brighton Belle queen Betsys Bullet for Belinda Green goes in heat 4, she has nice early pace and can hopefully make the bend unscathed from a tricky trap draw in 4. Droopys Eunice for Maxine Locke, a Monmore Puppy Derby finalist clocked a very decent time of 29.32 (-20) in her recent trial over the 500m. She has the inside draw and should come on for the look. Queen Dusty for Liz McNair runs from the stripes in this heat, and can dominate on the outside with her quick exits from the traps.
Heat 5-
A quick exit from Queen Georgia would see her take the early lead and be the one to beat in the race . Droopys Auntie for Paul Young who also possesses nice early pace takes her chance from the stripes, and will be looking to take an early lead. Ballymac Diana for Mark Wallis will be one to watch in the later stages of the race with plenty of 6 bend form and will be running on.
Heat 6-
Molly Maid for Seamus Cahill will be looking to take the early lead. A Hove specialist with consistently quick exits from the boxes, albeit a tricky draw to overcome, she has the got he early pace required to turn in front. However, Liz McNair’s Queen Shakira also has a nice turn of early, seeing out the distance strongly. Bubbly Bombay for Paul Young will also looking to be up front early doors and could take the pitch on the inside .
The Brighton Belle has always been a favourite competition of mine. Its great to have these all bitches Category One’s to showcase these top class ladies. It’s certainly a star studded affair. Wishing all connections the very best of luck throughout the competition.
Tonight will also see a trial stake for the up coming Coral Puppy Cup heats that starts next week alongside two supporting opens and the Coral Saturday night 515 dogs final.
Jade Browne