March On Freddie is the headline act at Hove tonight as David Mullins's runner - already favourite for next year's English Derby - begins the countdown to an eye-catching crack at the Irish Derby, live on the Premier Greyhound Racing service.
Set to be a rare UK entry for the BoyleSports-backed showpiece - but not the only one it seems - March On Freddie (7.49) arrives having romped the JenningsBet Puppy Classic at Nottingham and then dipped under the track record at Central Park in a trial.
He is priced accordingly - a long odds-on chance - but should soon be in command at a track he is a winner at already having posted a super-quick 28.98sec for the 500m trip in May. Droopys Dialogue is fancied to chase him home, given the local has been in top form.
The all-open race card kicks off with a maiden 500m contest where Empiricism (6.08) could make a winning UK debut for Gemma Byford. Her trials have been smart and, with noteworthy Irish form and prep trials, might be tough to hold to edge Bockos Wazza.
Heats of a sprint competition also grace the card and, while Kilcash Jack looks well pitched inside, preference if for Guzzler (6.42) in their heat clash. Belinda Green's dog might have won at Yarmouth but for running wide but back on home soil should make no mistake.
Eire Buckle will have his supporters when lining up in the heats of a 500m event also on the card after a runaway A1 win last time, but Innfield Charm (7.16) can go well for new trainer Andy Ioannou. She has form over a lot further and will pick up any pieces.
There are two finals on the card and last year's Coral Sussex Cup champion Candolim Monsoon will be fancied by many in the Coral Dual Distance Trophy Final. However, he needs to be foot-perfect from lid-rise given kennelmate Clona Uriel (8.24) looks well pitched.
Derek Knight's kennel clearly has a strong hand here but Candolim Monsoon faces an early threat from rails-heading Burrows Trigger next door which could clear the way for Clona Uriel to kick on in the dash to the first bend. He improves for his return in the heats.
Haka Carlo (8.41) is one for short-shot players in a later 695m contest. Jason Heath's runner ran well at Perry Barr in the St Leger behind reigning champion Droopys Clue in the semis and can sparkle back on familiar territory to lead home Turkish Lira.
Newcastle also stages a batch of opens races on the Premier Greyhound Racing service where the best picks could be Romeo Alonso (7.11) and Untold Shah (7.44), both from local trainer Tom Heilbron's in-form kennel.
