STRIKE IT SKYE heads into the semi-finals of the Coral Brighton Belle at Hove on Saturday as one of the hottest favourites in the event in years – although Hove racing manager Rob Abrey warns it is “not a forgone conclusion” as to who lifts the famous bitches-only trophy this year.

“Look, she was well clear on the clock and is top-class, clearly the one to beat,” he said. “‘However, a trap four draw in the semi-finals might just stop supporters getting ahead of themselves, although that’s not suggesting Strike It Syke can’t overcome it, of course she can. She’s brilliant and Mark (Wallis) has already talked about the Derby with her.”

Lining up in heat six, the Mark Wallis-trained Strike It Syke made the most of her inside pitch to soon be pressing for the lead and turned the first and second bends with a clear advantage the six-timer was never likely to be thwarted as she raced eight and a half lengths clear of The Other Winx (Maxine Locke) to win in 29.79sec (normal).

The victory completed a double for Wallis after Bower Aoibhin’s success in the preceding heat five, always in pole position before crossing the line a head in front of the strong-running Ballymac Madgie (Shaun Gresham) by a head in 30.39sec (normal).

Belinda Green’s Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks third Raebella Bullet kicked off the Brighton Belle heats with a fluent one and a quarter lengths win over Blackstone Opera (Seamus Cahill), leading at the first bend before clocking 30.22sec for the 515m trip, before Teddie made it a double on the night for the local handler in heat two.

Teddie led early against favourite Aazamza Shazza (John Mullins) to win by three and a half lengths in 30.18sec (normal) in heat two, while the other heats were won by Carol Weatherall’s Poly Styrene (30.31sec) and Ricky Holloway’s Droopys Softy (30.49sec).

“All in all I thought it was a cracking night’s action, especially when you consider we also had Mongys Wild winning well here again over 695m – and he looks as good as ever,” Abrey added. “But in terms of the Brighton Belle you’d have to say Strike It Syke stands out but Raebella Bullet won well and she’s an Oaks finalist.

“Another I liked who I think will improve is Ballymac Madgie. She’s very strong and a big-race finalist already a few times over and definitely caught the eye.”