HOVE racing manager Rob Abrey is looking forward to Saturday’s semi-finals of the Coral Brighton Belle after an eventful batch of heats over 515m.

The Kevin Hutton-trained Highview Jasman was quickest of the round when saving the best for last in heat six of the Category One annual with a narrow 30.21sec (normal) success, albeit was marked awkward by the racing office after coming close to Droopys Rosie (Maxine Locke) before scoring a half a length victory.

“We spoke to Kevin (Hutton) and it seems very much a one-off and might just be a loss of concentration,” said Abrey, who believes the race to succeed last year’s winner Queen Joni is as open as ever – and Liz McNair might not be ready to loosen her grip on the famous trophy believes the Hove RM.

“I thought Queen Shakira was very game in holding off Fabulous Sonique in what was one of the toughest heats and match-ups on the night and she clearly has a great chance to following Joni last year to make it back-to-back for the McNairs. Rab and Liz also have Queen Dusty in the semis.

“Belinda Green won the Brighton Belle two years ago with Betsys Bullet and some of the same owners are involved this time around with her three semi-finalists – Teddie, Baywatch Bullet and Lilys Bullet. Teddie and Baywatch Bullet won their heats well and will have a say you’d think in the competition – Baywatch Bullet is, of course, our reigning (Coral) Regency champion so is certainly not stopping in her races!

“Richard Rees is also another recent Brighton Belle-winning trainer – who can forget what Whats Up Eva did in successive Brighton Belle finals. She won for Richard and the team in 2022 and then finished third to Betsys Bullet a year later. Richard has Starshinestunner in the semis after she won her heat.

“Kevin Hutton and Seamus Cahill have also both won Brighton Belles in the past and have runners back her on Saturday – Kevin with Highview Jasman and Seamus with Harlequin Beauty, Ivy Hill Cherry and Dark Madam.”

Highview Jasman aside, Saturday’s other Coral Brighton Belle heats were won by the Richard Rees-trained Starshinestunner (30.50sec +10), Liz McNair’s Queen Shakira (30.29sec normal), Belinda Green’s duo of Teddie (30.24sec normal) and Baywatch Bullet (30.39sec normal), and the Paul Donovan-trained Runaway Dior (30.31sec).

Trap draw for Saturday’s semi-finals:-

First semi: 1 Highview Jasman, 2 Fabulous Sonique, 3 Wonderful Abi, 4 Ivy Hill Cherry, 5 Lilys Bullet, 6 Resonate (w).

Second semi: 1 Queen Shakira, 2 Dark Madam, 3 Teddie, 4 Bubbly Athena, 5 Ballymac Lucia, 6 Queen Dusty (w).

Third semi: 1 Harlequin Beauty, 2 Baywatch Bullet, 3 Cute Out, 4 Droopys Rosie, 5 Starshinestunner, 6 Runaway Dior (w).