PROPER HEIRESS stands on the verge of becoming only the second greyhound to successfully defend the title – and just the third to win two Olympics titles – when Mark Wallis’s brilliant tracker goes in the Coral-sponsored £10,000 final at Hove on Saturday.

Not since the Gunner Smith-trained House Hunter’s brace in 1986-87 has a runner gone back-to-back in the famous event since its inception in 1947, but after another impressive semi-final display on Saturday last year’s winner has a chance to defend his title and match House Hunter’s feat and that of Droopys Oasis.

Brian Clemenson’s dog also has two Olympic titles to his name having regained his 2003 title in 2025, so there is plenty for the September 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Powerful Mush to emulate when he goes in the 515m annual at the weekend.

Proper Heiress, who looks to land a fifth Category One title in 2025 and sixth in all, raced away in the first semi-final on Saturday to cross the line seven and three-quarter lengths clear of kennelmate Table Toppers for a Mark Wallis-trained one-two, the latter outstaying Clona Kody (Richard Rees) for the qualifying spot.

The winning time was 29.83sec (normal) which was the best of the three Olympic semi-finals – and quicker than another kennelmate Newinn Deejay who landed the second semi-final for a Wallis double on the night.

The April 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Newinn Cuckoo made all from Missile One (Seamus Cahill), winning by a length from the keeping-on local in 29.96sec (normal),

The third semi-final went to Paul Young’s Underground Arlo who will line up as the youngest finalist after the November 2023 son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Pete railed into the lead off the second bend and went on for a length success from Moving Force (Seamus Cahill) in 30.07sec (normal).

Hove racing manager Rob Abrey said: “Well done to connections of all the runners who’ll contest the Coral Olympic Final.

“Mark (Wallis) obviously has a great chance of winning it with three finalists including the favourite in Proper Heiress, who’s just got a great record here at Hove. He went unbeaten through last year’s Olympic and this year’s Sussex Cup, and has only been beaten in one race here – in the Gold Collar semis.

“But we’re also delighted to see two finalists for Seamus (Cahill). It’s been a long time since a Hove-trained runner has won the Olympic. The last was Brian Clemenson’s Shelbourne Rich in 2008, so we’re probably overdue! 

“And well done to Paul (Young) with the young Underground Arlo. Like Mark (Wallis), Paul is an Olympic-winning trainer already and also won the Coral Gold Collar here just a few weeks ago, so we know the kennel is in tip-top form.”

Trap draw for Saturday’s final: https://imminent-otter.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/results/Brighton-Hove/form-guides/Saturday-13-12-25-advance-form.pdf