WATCH: Tony Bullen’s antepost advice for the big two events at Hove this weekend

With Christmas just around the corner, greyhound punters are being treated early this year with some brilliant action at Hove on Saturday, featuring the Olympic and George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial.

Both events have attracted some big names on the open scene over four and six bends and have all the ingredients of producing some crowd-pleasing finishes around a venue that has always been one of the best galloping tracks in the country.

Garfiney Blaze was forced to withdraw from the semi-finals of the 2023 St Leger, but arrived on the scene in superb fashion when winning the Cesarewitch at Central Park back in January.

He went on to strut his stuff on Judgement Night at the seaside venue in May, but suffered a setback in a stayer’s event during the Derby at Towcester. His recent trials suggest he is raring to go following an absence and could easily throw down a serious marker by winning his opening heat. However, the layers are taking no chances so it might pay to look elsewhere.

Move Over Ogie seems to have brought a bit of consistency to his game since returning to competitive action. Matt Dartnall’s charge has warmed up for a tilt at this event with back-to-back wins over the 740m trip and looks the type that can keep qualifying to reach the decider.

Droopys Flotilla reached the semi-finals of this event last year without really emerging as a leading contender, but Nathan Hunt’s bitch has come a long way since. She has certainly struck her very best form at the right time having recently broken the 680m track record at Nottingham and followed that up with another game success at Monmore. She has the ability to race in a prominent pitch and the fact she doesn’t down tools at any stage suggests she could ask a few of these a big question.

Olympic

The Olympic really has a wide-open look to it with a strong local brigade taking on some classy away raiders. I made Droopys Plunge one of my ante-post picks at a huge price in the Eclipse at Nottingham and there has been a lot to like about the way Patrick Janssen’s charge is progressing and was arguably a little bit unlucky when eliminated from the semi-finals.

Prior to that he had claimed the scalp of smart kennelmate Barntick Bear at Towcester and Nottingham, where he was still striding strongly to the drop. Droopys Plunge moved well in a recent prep trial over the 515m trip and the fact he might have more in the locker, makes him of serious interest in the outright market.

Mark Wallis sends out a pretty strong team with familiar names in Newinn Syd and Ballymac John who are proven at the highest level. However, the lesser-known Proper Heiress and Gun Slinger could be those who come to the fore instead.

Proper Heiress has won three of his six career starts to date reaching the semi-finals of the Eclipse. He looked at home when dipping under the 30-second barrier when put through his paces in a recent trial over course and distance and his all-round pace is sure to serve him well, while Gun Slinger has been a bit hit and miss at the boxes, but his form speaks volumes when everything clicks into place.

Ante-post advice

Olympic

Droopys Plunge

Proper Heiress

George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial

Move Over Ogie

Droopys Flotilla