Thursday Night Open Report- “Cluedo” has the answers as part of Cahill Hove treble

“Cluedo” has the answers as part of Cahill Hove treble

2023 GBGB Greyhound Of The Year and 2024 GBGB Stayer Of The Year made a winning return to action at Hove on Thursday when landing Division A of the Coral Sussex Cup Trial Stakes in his first start since February

After a moderate break from the traps, Seamus Cahill’s star went up to the first bend well but had nowhere to go as Ower Mystery in Trap 3 just came across him when taking up the lead. Having suffered minor interference at that point, the strong running Droopys Clue was only a length behind June Harvey’s leader and it looked to be a case of when, not if, he would be able to hit the front.

Making his challenge down the back, he stuck his head in front just before the third bend and pulled away in good fashion to record a three length victory in a time of 30.54 (-10), rewarding his followers returning the 2/1F.

Missile One ( 6/4) took the spoils in Division B of the Coral Sussex Cup Trial Stakes on what was a good night for the Cahill kennel. Having overcome trouble on a couple of occasions, firstly on the run up when the inside trio collided, and again at the first bend when getting the better of a bump with the odds on favourite Queen Shakira, Missile One was able to build up a lead of a length and a half heading down the back.

However, rounding the third bend, Jason Heath’s Burrows Emerald loomed up alongside and looked set to hit the front on the run for home, but Missile One battled on gamely and was able to hold off the attentions of Burrows Emerald, holding on for a short head victory in 30.84 (-20).

The hat-trick on the night was landed when Yougo Freddie (6/1) gained his first Open Race victory in the 500m Maiden, leading round the opening bends to record a length and quarter victory in 29.79 (-10)

It was also a good night for Jason Heath and Patrick Janssens, who both secured themselves a double on the card

Heath landed both Premier Greyhound Racing Regency Trial Stakes over 695m, firstly when Rules For Some (6/4F) battled well to get the best of a bunched finish when getting the better of the Dave Mullins trained Borna Parachute by a short head in a time of 42.72 (-15), and then latterly by Burrows Eclipse (2/5F), who was a more clear cut winner when drawing clear with a lap to go to record a five and three quarter length victory in 42.05 (-30).

Romeo Empire and Romeo Tomcat landed the double for Janssens in the two £500 to the winner finals on the card. Romeo Empire (3/10F) advertised his claims for outright honours for the forthcoming Premier Greyhound Racing Regency when making in three wins out of three in the final of the Coral 695 Stayers Trophy, but those who took the short odds were made to sweat a little. Having led in the early stages Romeo Empire had a lead of three lengths going down the back for the final time, but Cahill’s Unthinkable reduced the margin to three quarters of a length as Romeo Empire crossed the line in front in 41.89 (-15)

Cahill was also runner up in the Coral Dual Distance Trophy final as Romeo Tomcat (9/4) made it two wins from two at Hove. It was 1/2F Slick Sentinel who was expected to lead out wide but it was the Cahill trained Kelvins Hat who broke quickest all and built up an early lead. Romeo Tomcat bumped his kennelmate Slick Sentinel out of the way at the first bend to the pain of backers of the odds on favourite and sent off after the leader. Taking up the lead off the last bend, Romeo Tomcat went on to score by a length and three quarters in 30.15 (-20), with Cahill’s other runner Kevins Rocket staying on well to finish runner up.

Janssens went close to landing the hat-trick of his own in the finale as his 5/4F Not So Slow was narrowly denied by a short head by Belinda Green’s 14/1 shot Guzzler, who made all the running from the unlucky in running runner up in 16.61 (-10)

Harrison lands Trial Stakes double at Newcastle

Newcastle also have a couple of big competitions starting in the coming weeks, the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat, worth £12,500 to the winner, and the Arena Racing Company Angel Of The North, worth £7,500 to the winner and the track held two trial stakes races for both competitions last night

Local trainer Angela Harrison led the way with two winners with a winner in trial stakes for each competition. 

Moanteen Webby (7/1) trapped well and made all the running to hold off Naochra by three quarters of a length in the Northern Flat trial stakes in 28.50, while Droopys Niece (7/2) led off the second bend to record a comfortable four length victory from 33/1 outsider of the field Untold Shah in 28.68

Dave Winder’s Rugged Road (7/1) provided a bit of an upset when making all the running in the other Northern Flat trial stakes. Having shown a good burst of early pace to go clear in the early stages, he had to hold off the attentions of the staying on Bramble Shelby, but was able to hold on for a short head success in 28.69   

Nathan Hunt made the long journey up from Cambridgeshire a worthwhile one as the well fancied Icemans Girl (2/5F) turned in a handy position, and when hitting the front at the third bend, drew clear for a three length victory from Coolavanny Mercy back in second in a fastest of the night 28.35 in the other Angel Of The North trial stakes