It is the turn of the hurdlers to take centre stage on Saturday night’s card in the £500 final of the Owners Bonus race over 380m.

This event is for grade H3 dogs and, while they may not be the best that we have over sticks, it is good to see that they, like all grades here, will get the chance to win a decent price and be in the spotlight.

The two semi-finals were run last weekend which saw Cairns Diamond and Ballyhill Kansas come home in front. They were followed by Billis Magic, General Warhorse, Full Cover and Brookview Man to make up our six for the big final.

Cairns Diamond registered the fastest win time of 24.21sec, a smart run over the hurdles, while Ballyhill Kansas ran 24.42 which is more in keeping with this level.

Cairns has only had eight races all over hurdles and this was by far her best time. She is an improving type of dog

t is the turn of the hurdlers to take centre stage on Saturday night’s card in the £500 final of the Owners Bonus race over 380m.

This event is for grade H3 dogs and, while they may not be the best that we have over sticks, it is good to see that they, like all grades here, will get the chance to win a decent price and be in the spotlight.

The two semi-finals were run last weekend which saw Cairns Diamond and Ballyhill Kansas come home in front. They were followed by Billis Magic, General Warhorse, Full Cover and Brookview Man to make up our six for the big final.

Cairns Diamond registered the fastest win time of 24.21sec, a smart run over the hurdles, while Ballyhill Kansas ran 24.42 which is more in keeping with this level.

Cairns has only had eight races all over hurdles and this was by far her best time. She is an improving type of dog and while – on paper – it may appear she has the final at her mercy, she does tend to suffer from crowding which could well spoil her chance on Saturday if she cannot get an early lead.

In her semi-final she could only manage fifth place away from the traps and benefited from trouble among others around the first two bends so this final could be closer than it would appear. Clearly, if she manages to lead, she should win.

Ballyhill Kansas has been racing over hurdles since August and has won eight such races. But she has also had five runner-up finishes and is a decent little hurdler.

I expect her to trap out and get into the first three early on which she will need to do as her time last weekend was the fastest she has managed since November. You would have to think that in a level race with Cairns, the latter would prevail.

Full Cover is an interesting runner. Last weekend’s race was his debut over hurdles and he only finished one and a quarter lengths behind Ballyhill Kansas after being bumped at both the first and third hurdles.

He has had 19 career races here progressing over 380m on the flat from grade A7 up to A5 and has also had two races over 540m. He clearly stays well.

I think that for the other three finalists this may be a tough ask.

As I’m always on the lookout for a bit of value I am going to take a chance on Full Cover to win at a price I expect of around 4-1.

and while – on paper – it may appear she has the final at her mercy, she does tend to suffer from crowding which could well spoil her chance on Saturday if she cannot get an early lead.

In her semi-final she could only manage fifth place away from the traps and benefited from trouble among others around the first two bends so this final could be closer than it would appear. Clearly, if she manages to lead, she should win.

Ballyhill Kansas has been racing over hurdles since August and has won eight such races. But she has also had five runner-up finishes and is a decent little hurdler.

I expect her to trap out and get into the first three early on which she will need to do as her time last weekend was the fastest she has managed since November. You would have to think that in a level race with Cairns, the latter would prevail.

Full Cover is an interesting runner. Last weekend’s race was his debut over hurdles and he only finished one and a quarter lengths behind Ballyhill Kansas after being bumped at both the first and third hurdles.

He has had 19 career races here progressing over 380m on the flat from grade A7 up to A5 and has also had two races over 540m. He clearly stays well.

I think that for the other three finalists this may be a tough ask.

As I’m always on the lookout for a bit of value I am going to take a chance on Full Cover to win at a price I expect of around 4-1.