PREVIEW: IPSWICH v BELLE VUE (PREM KOC)

IPSWICH look to complete their KO Cup job tonight (Thursday) when they host Belle Vue at Foxhall after a terrific season opening display in the first leg.

The Witches were 50-40 winners in Manchester to send out a statement of intent, with the Aces keen to hit back in the return fixture.

It’s a home debut for Tom Brennan in Ipswich colours full-time, although the GB racer did guest in their colours in the closing stages of last season.

Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “We are really looking forward to getting back to Foxhall. We had a great couple of days last week practicing and catching up with everyone again. Now it is time for the real business to start.

“The track was awesome last week, and you can really see the effort, Bob (Ellis) and Chris (Louis) and all the track staff have put in over the winter to improve it. I’m sure it will provide a great racetrack, and we have got some great racers here on Thursday.

“Opening nights can be tricky and it is always nice to get an away meeting in first, which we have done.

“We navigated that in superb fashion and whilst we come into the meeting very confident of progressing to the next round, we also know that Belle Vue are the league champions and are a strong side. They will be coming determined to return the favour and we will need to be on top of our game to progress.”

IPSWICH: Jason Doyle, Danny King, Adam Ellis, Tom Brennan, Emil Sayfutdinov, Dan Thompson, Jordan Jenkins.

BELLE VUE: Brady Kurtz, Norick Blodorn, Jaimon Lidsey, Zach Cook, Dan Bewley, Tate Zischke, Jake Mulford.

SCB Referee: Paul Carrington