NO RUSH set the standard in the heats of the Coral Brighton Belle at Hove on Saturday as Carol Weatherall’s British-bred star landed a trap-to-line success in heat four of the newly upgraded bitches-only GBGB Category One event over 515m at the Sussex venue.

The June 2020 daughter of King Elvis and Vahsel Bay raced to a 4.32sec sectional on her way to a one and three-quarter lengths success over favourite Havana Bale Out (Liz McNair) in 30.05sec (-10), with Sleek By Design (Kevin Hutton) qualifying in third for Saturday’s semi-finals of the £10,000-to-the-winner competition

Reigning champion Whats Up Eva (pictured) began her defence of the title in the best possible style in the opening heat as Richard Rees’s runner overcame bumping on the run-up to make the bend in front on her way to a two and three-quarter lengths success over Betsys Bullet (Belinda Green) and Newinn Touch (Mark Wallis) in 30.60sec (-20).

Lively Lauren made a successful return to four bends when striking for Matt Dartnall in heat two as the Oxford 650m track record holder railed into the lead off the second bend on her way to a comfortable three and a half lengths win over Stellas Fruity (Richard Rees)  and My Girl Bella (Seamus Cahill) in 30.55sec (-20).

Dual British Bred Derby winner Fabulous Azurra followed up her Trainers Judgement Night success at Perry Barr for Patrick Janssens with another impressive success in heat three as a joint-fastest-of-the-round 4.30sec sectional set up a half-length victory over staying-on Droopys Request (Richard Rees) and Whitings New Era (Nathan Hunt) in 30.22sec (-20).

My Girl Mia, recent winner of the Coral Springtime Bitches over C&D, overcame a missed break to score in heat five as the Seamus Cahill-trained runner rode a bump before leading at the bend before crossing the line three-quarters of a length in front of the strong-running Westwell Emer (Kevin Hutton) and Jasmine Lily (Tom Levers) in 30.87sec (-10).

Gatling Gun also landed a local victory when firing to victory for Patrick Browne in heat six as a joint-fastest 4.30sec sectional set up an impressive four-length victory over Mirrenofpaisley (Kim Billingham) and Pepinthestep (Mark Wallis) in 30.24sec (-10).

Hove racing manager Rob Abrey, overseeing his first GBGB Category One competition since taking up the post, said: “With 58 entries for the 36-runner event, the Coral Brighton Belle was always going to be ultra-competitive and the first round heats didn’t disappoint!

“Carol Weatherall’s No Rush clocked the fastest time of the heats and stunned hot favourite for the race Havana Bale Out in doing so with her electric early pace to make all. But then last year’s winner Whats Up Eva also showed she’s not to be overlooked when taking her heat – all three now meet in a red-hot second semi-final.

“Sleek By Design, who qualified in third behind No Rush and Havana Bale Out, goes in the third semi-final and gave the impression there’s more to come and she’s one to watch.

Monmore Winter Derby finalist Betsys Bullet will be looking to make it back-to-back Category One finals when going in the opening semi.

“All greyhound fans should make sure they catch the action unfold on Saturday night. It’s a great competition.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=396028&raceId=930070

Trap draw for Saturday’s semi-finals of the Coral Brighton Belle: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Brighton-Hove/form-guides/Sat-22nd-April-Form-Adv_2023-04-17-154737.pdf