They are always pretty decent, but you sense the quality of the Thursday open-race cards at Hove are taking a step upwards as we approach the end-of-season showpieces at the Sussex track - the Coral Olympic and George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial.
Tonight's programme is top-notch with two finals on the card - the Coral 500 Maiden Trophy Final and the Coral 500 Standard Trophy Final - plus there's a great tribute to one of Hove's finest in the form of the now retired multiple big-race finalist, the ultra-consistent Clarkeith Remy. All the action is on the Premier Greyhound Racing service.
And right from the start - a D1 contest over 285m - the action is cracking, with race two a particularly tasty affair over 740m, the extended six-bend trip.
It sees Tuona Bella (6.26) looking to follow up last week's impressive effort and the early and all-round pace of Paul Donovan's bitch can see her dominate, albeit expect Ower Smasher to get closer tonight as drawn. Recent Perry Barr 915m match-race winner Hopiehopiehope (ex Ballymac Katie) is also a classy sort who will not be stopping.
Clona Kody (6.42) has been pitched in against some useful sorts since his return to the fray and has performed creditably against them. Take Richard Rees's runner to dominate on the outside over 500m and get away, while same again for Belinda Green's Miami Sapphire (6.59) can do the trick after last week's victory just third time up tonight.
The Clarkeith Remy Retirement Trophy is an A1 contest and a great touch for the greyhound trained so well by the Gardiner family for loyal and longtime owners Rod Lynn and Gillian Woodroffe - a narrow vote goes the way of Richard Rees's returning Tommys Kingdom (7.49) who looks well drawn outside to get first run.
The Coral 500 Maiden Trophy Final looks a competitive affair judged on last week's heats. Preference is for Carrick Cantona (8.07) - yes, against Blueisthecolor! - who looks a likely improver after just a brace of starts for Belinda Green and can hit the back of the net if coming away as pitched after an encouraging effort seven days ago on return.
The Coral 500 Standard Trophy Final is a classy affair, featuring as it does the brilliant Candolim Monsoon (8.24) as last year's Sussex Cup champion looks to add to his long list of victories - a fast start could set up victory, albeit mistakes will be costly against a top field including the likes of fellow heat winners Droopys Extragud and Bluejig Baron.
Birmingham Cup winner Rioja Bungle (8.41) travels down with kennelmate Hopiehopiehope for a 515m contest - presumably with the upcoming Coral Olympic in mind - and Kevin Hutton's powerful runner could really enjoy the galloping Hove contours and gets the vote over top local Uncle Freddie.
Other votes on a cracking card go to Jason Heath's improving Swift Jarvis (8.59) and Seamus Cahill's returning Never Say No (9.16) who could run fresh and fast in the finale.
