BRETON MOLLY heads into Saturday’s final of the George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial at Hove as the fastest semi-final winner as Patrick Janssens’ in-form sort landed a four-timer in the 740m event.

The January 2022 daughter of Ballymac Kingdom and Breton Avril was quickly away and soon had her rivals under pressure, putting herself at the head of affairs for a place in the weekend’s decider which was achieved by crossing the line half a length in front of the staying-on Hopiehopiehopie (Kevin Hutton) in 44.61sec (normal).

The victory delighted trainer Janssens who feels Breton Molly is running as well as ever – and clearly loves this time of the year.

“I remember her winning three-in-a-row as a pup this time last year,” said Janssens. “She was always a good young stayer who needed six bends before most her age. She’s got lots of speed and gives herself every chance.

“I’m not sure she wants too much further but we’re happy with the draw inside. Getting trap one in a field of railers is a bonus, of course, but it’s a big night with some big runners – and Mark’s dog (Wallis, Garfiney Blaze) is clearly the one to beat.

“It’s a busy few days. We’ve got Druids Say Go, Romeo Kingpin and Romeo Falco up at Newcastle on Thursday for the (Premier Greyhound Racing) All England Cup and then it’s Hove on Saturday and Sheffield on Sunday for the British Bred Derby.

“It’s great to have runners in both the Olympic (Barntick Bear) and Ballyregan Bob (Breton Molly). Bear hasn’t been so lucky in the draw you’d say in the Olympic, but we know what he’s capable of – and actually his record from trap five is pretty good.

“He’s won all three times when in five – and done the track record in one of them!”

Saturday’s £10,000 decider will share the open-race stage with the Coral Olympic Final and Janssens joins Mark Wallis and Heather Dimmock with runners in both, which will be supported by other competitions and one-offs for what promises to be an outstanding card on the south coast.

Favourite for the George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial Final is Garfiney Blaze after he continued his comeback from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with victory in the second semi-final.

The Arc Cesarewitch winner, a September 2021 son of Ballymac Anton and Ballymac Merkle, had made all in the heats but this time came from off the pace to collar leader Barbie Bullet (Belinda Green) approaching the penultimate bend for a two and a quarter lengths success over Coffee Time Guys (Heather Dimmock) inn 44.77sec (normal).

The winner is a littermate of fellow finalist Hopiehopiehopie.

The final two places for the weekend’s decider went to the Nathan Hunt-trained Droopys Flotilla, herself in cracking form as the August 2021 daughter of Out Of Range ASB and Droopys Natalia landed a five-timer, and St Leger finalist Tuono Bella (Paul Donovan).

The latter showed in front early but was soon tackled and passed by Droopys Flotilla who held her rival at bay throughout for a length and a half win in 45.10sec (normal).

Trap draw for Saturday’s final: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Brighton-Hove/form-guides/Sat-14th-Dec-Form-Adv.pdf