DROOPYS ADDITION was once again quickest in the semi-finals of the Coral Sussex Cup at Hove on Saturday as Gemma Evans’ ultra-consistent tracker showed a combination of speed and resilience to come out on top in the third semi.

Having made all in the heats last week, Droopys Addition now faced a real battle from Antigua Storm (Mark Wallis) off the second bend with the pair enjoying a tremendous buckle before the Romford runner drew clear impressively to win by almost four lengths in 30.03sec (-10) for the 515m trip.

The first semi-final had been billed as the race of the night with the clash between Bockos Belly, Tenpin and Roxholme Sheikh, but scrimmaging between the trio saw 14-1 chance Troy Firebird take advantage of a good start and David Mullins’ runner swept round in front into what proved a race-winning lead.

Keeping up a decent gallop, the race was over given crowding among the rest of the field at the first and second turns which saw last year’s Yarmouth Derby third and Greyhound Derby semi-finalist scoot clear to win by almost ten lengths in 30.12sec (-10), with Pilgrim Hill (Kevin Hutton) rallying well late on to secure the qualifying spot.

Drumcrow Brent and Ivy Hill Skyhigh landed Mark Wallis a one-two in the second semi-final. Both the Imperial Kennels duo broke well and were always likely to fill the qualifying positions given their strong-running styles – with Drumcrow Brent just proving the stronger by a neck in 30.22sec (-10).

Hove racing manager Daniel Rankin oversaw four competitions on the night and is looking forward to Saturday’s gala card.

He said: “I thought the racing at the weekend was good and the Coral Regency Final looks not just like the best six-bend race of the year but maybe the best of the year over any distance! We have class dogs in every trap and hopefully we get a clean-run race and the best dog or bitch wins.

“I suppose the first Sussex Cup semi was something of an anti-climax. Seeing Bockos Belly take on Tenpin and Roxholme Shiekh had a RPGTV Juvenile feel about it beforehand and it played out that way as they all jostled for position. This allowed the outside runners to get into their stride and get an advantage after hitting the bend hard.

“You’d have to say Droopys Addition looks a worthy favourite for the Sussex Cup and runs the 515m trip so well. He’s won his last five races over the distance which is a great record considering the dogs he’s beaten.

“But I’d say the best run of the night, at least for me, was Brookside Richie who looked all class in his heat of the Seasons Scaffolding Puppy Cup and will be one to watch when he steps into all-aged races.

“We have supporting races on finals night which close on Monday and hopefully we get some quality entries to support the finals – showcasing how good our sport is with proper top-class open-racing on show.

“We’ll also be staging the Bockos Doomie Memorial Invitation over 515m. I felt it was the right thing to do given how good Doomie was at Hove and how much everyone enjoyed seeing him run the track. That could also be one of the high points of the night here at Hove on Saturday.”

Form and trap draw for Saturday’s final: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Brighton-Hove/form-guides/Sat-31st-July-Finals-Night-Form.pdf