Vhagar produced another display of front-running excellence at Hove on Saturday night as Mark Wallis’s outstanding stayer powered to victory in the George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial Final.

The 10/11 favourite wasted little time in taking command of the 740m Category One decider, breaking quickly from trap five and leading from the outset. Setting the tempo throughout, Vhagar never offered her rivals a realistic opportunity to get involved and continued to pile on the pressure before crossing the line seven lengths clear of Candolim Typhoon in 44.29sec.

It was another major prize for Vhagar. The MWD Partnership-owned star was already a three-time Category One champion, having landed the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic at Monmore, the bet365 Challenge Cup at Oxford and the Arena Racing Company Grand Prix at Sunderland in previous years.

Wallis also strengthened an impressive recent record in the George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial. He remains the only non-Hove-based trainer to win the competition since it gained Category One status, having previously struck with Garfiney Blaze in 2024.

Behind Vhagar, Candolim Typhoon completed an excellent competition for local trainer Derek Knight. The June 2024 youngster arrived at the event in superb form, having won four races during October to earn Hove’s Dog of the Month award before following up with victories in both the opening round and semi-finals of this competition.

From trap six in the final, Candolim Typhoon moved towards the rails and encountered crowding at the third bend, but continued to chase the leader before securing second place.

Although Vhagar proved too strong on the night, Candolim Typhoon’s recent progression and performances over 740m point to a particularly bright future for the lightly raced youngster.

Broncos Bullet claimed third at huge odds of 50/1 after enjoying a clear passage in the middle, with Malcolm Bosh fourth. Drombeg Flash and Zenith Boom completed the field in fifth and sixth respectively.

 

Photos: Hove Stadium