HOVE general manager Lena Birch is looking forward to Saturday’s Category One double-header at the Sussex venue with both the Coral Regency and Coral Sussex Cup down for decision – in addition to three other finals at the seaside venue.

“It’s a fantastic card and, at the end of another busy holiday week by the coast in great weather, we’re expecting another big crowd,” said Birch.

“It’s also the last day of Glorious Goodwood, so maybe a few racegoers might do the double – I know that was popular in the past, especially when the Sussex Cup was held in midweek during Goodwood. You’d often spot a few nice hats in the grandstand and restaurant here. And they are more than welcome here on Saturday!”

Droopys Flare is a hot favourite for the Coral Regency, but the Coral Sussex Cup has a more wide-open look to it with the race to succeed last year’s winner Proper Heiress keenly contested – and the locals certainly hold the upper hand numerically.

“Our trainers have five of the finalists in the Coral Sussex Cup and three in the Coral Regency, so they’ll be plenty of home support in the crowd and, once again, we’ll be inviting connections of our big-race finalists to enjoy the evening with us here in the restaurant,” added Birch.

Fastest in the Sussex Cup semis was Belinda Green’s Behemoth who made all in the third semi-final from Copney Queen (Paul Young) in 30.17sec (-10) for the 515m contest, the winner soon dominating off the back of a 4.33sec split.

Seamus Cahill landed a one-two in the first semi as Moving Force led home kennelmate Blackstone Opera, the Coral Brighton Belle heroine, in 30.30sec (-10), while Jason Heath’s Smokestack Saxon grabbed gold in the second semi from Raebella Bullet (Belinda Green) in 30.18sec (-10) – completing the line-up for the weekend’s decider.

Saturday’s two Category One finals are supported by three other finals with the Coral 100 Years Graded Sweepstake Final, the Coral 500 Standard Trophy Final and the Coral Sussex Cup Sprint Trophy also on the gala card on the south coast.

Trap draw for Saturday’s Coral Sussex Cup Final: 1 Blackstone Opera, 2 Raebella Bullet, 3 Copney Queen (m), 4 Smokestack Saxon (m), 5 Behemoth (w), 6 Moving Force (w).