The high-quality action at Hove steps up another notch on Saturday evening with the semi-finals of both the Coral Sussex Cup & Regency taking centre stage & Joe Nordoff gives us his best bets
We were treated to some quality performances across both competitions from the East Sussex venue 7 days ago, King Lennon showing supreme track craft to emerge victorious on the back of a moderate break, Antigua Fire overcoming an interrupted passage to score effortlessly and Beechgrove Bell proving ultra-tenacious in being challenged throughout and not giving an inch.
The leading protagonists again promise to be on the skinny side to be backing from a singles perspective and the value may come in doubles & trebles in truth ahead of the finals next week.
Semi-final one of the Sussex Cup at 6.58 has served up a real treat with a number who impressed in the heats lining up in opposition. King Lennon (Trap 3, TF 120) is a real joy to watch and proved why last week, breaking slowly he’s a sensible tracker with speed to burn, able to pick of his rivals and cleverly escaping trouble. However, it may be fellow winner BOCKOS DOOMIE (Trap 2, TF 137) who comes out on top this evening.
The son of Droopys Jet never trapped anything like he can last week and but still managed to turn handy before working hard to get on top off the final bend. Pat Janssen’s charge should be front rank at the first bend once more and should prove difficult to dislodge, but will need to be checking his wing mirrors for aforementioned King Lennon and another eye-catcher from last week Forest Alan (Trap 4, TF 126).
SOUTHFIELD CODE (Trap 5, 7.18) gave short-priced favourite backers a few anxious moments prior to tasting success last week, having to work hard to reel in the trail-blazing Schooldays, posting a Timeform rating 123 in the process. Kevin Hutton’s brindle finds himself with an excellent opportunity of leading up and the move in to orange will hold no fears. His current Timeform Master Rating stands out above this evening’s rivals on 137, his nearest rival Bubbly Angel currently TF 123 and it would come as a disappointment where he not to emerge victorious.
Click here for Sky Bet's enhanced special on Southfield Code to win by over three lengths
BEECHGROVE BELL (Trap 4, 7.58) wasn’t quite at the level she displayed when landing her Trial Stakes heat when registering a hard-fought opening round victory 7 days ago, posting a Timeform rating of 118 in the process. However, the suspicion was she was only doing enough in the end to hold the runner-up in the shape of Affirmed. Tom Lever’s charge clearly has the bit between her teeth at present and whilst there is early pace around her she will need to counteract, in truth she has escaped the attentions of those at the head of the betting in her heat and can book her place in next week’s showdown.
Given his style of running KING SHEERAN (Trap 5, TF 133) has often showed his very best form from the striped jacket but to pigeonhole him as one dimensional would be wholly unfair. Most impressive last week, Liz McNair’s charge had little trouble dipping some way under the 30-second barrier. His make-up from orange looks a good one with trap 4 expected to be moving left out of the boxes and a repeat of last week’s exploits should see him tough to contain on the front end at 8.17
Preview posted at 11.35BST on 25/07/2020
Responsible gambling
We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.
Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org
Fast Results
Scores
Racecards 
