CLONGEEL OZZIE began the defence of his title in the best possible way by landing heat three of the George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial at Hove on Saturday.

Jason Heath’s runner, last year’s Towcester Hunt Cup runner-up to kennelmate Chelms Cub before winning the Category One event at the Sussex circuit, proved a popular winner on the night as the local star was soon handy off the back of a smart exit and went on approaching the third bend.

In no danger thereafter, the April 2020 son of Droopys Sydney and Rossroe Lady raced clear before crossing the line five and a half lengths clear of Savana Jazz (Diane Henry) and Droopys Flotilla (Nathan Hunt) in 44.60sec (-45) for the 740m trip. Fastest time of the night was posted by Droopys Clue in heat one as Seamus Cahill’s Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger winner returned to the UK after his Winter Racing Festival bid at Shelbourne Park with a brilliant victory.

Crowded out at the Dublin track, the August 2021 son of Out Of Range ASB and Droopys Natalia enjoyed a much more smoother run this time and, leading off the second bend, raced right away to score by eight and three-quarter lengths in a standard-setting 44.30sec (-45) for the six bends at the coastal venue.

Savana Heross struck in heat two as Diane Henry’s strong-running sort overcame crowding early to hit the front rounding the penultimate bend.

Quickly racing clear, the May 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Blundel Spark crossed the line four and three-quarter lengths clear of Haka Carlo (Nathan Hunt) and Baywatch Bullet (Belinda Green). The winning time was 45.06sec (-45).

The remaining heat went to Monmore’s Millridge Tanic as the Chris Fereday-trained March 2021 son of Good News and Millridge Dame led not the run to the turn and soon had his rivals under pressure in behind before coming home three lengths clear of the fast-finishing Ower Smasher (June Harvey) and Swiper (Matt Dartnall) in 45.08sec (-45).

Hove racing manager Rob Abrey, summing up the four 740m heats, said: “George Curtis and Ballyregan Bob themselves would have been proud of some of the performances from the first round of this famous competition.

“Although only 24 greyhounds were entered they didn’t let the side down. Droopys Clue, trained by local handler Seamus Cahill, was simply outstanding when romping home to a runaway victory. He certainly laid down the marker for the others to aim at!

“Defending champion Clongeel Ozzie showed all is well after returning from injury with an impressive win and is not intending to relinquish his title without a fight, while crowd favourite Ower Smasher failed to win her heat but by qualifying set up a great looking battle in the first semi-final against Droopys Clue.

“The semi-finals on Saturday of both our Category Ones – the Coral Olympic and George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial – will showcase the top runners over four and six bends and, with two Category Three competitions getting under way the same night, Hove is the place be this Saturday!”

Trap draw for Saturday’s semi-finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Brighton-Hove/form-guides/Sat-16th-Dec-Form-Adv_2023-12-11-090456.pdf