Rick Holloway advises punters not to be put off by the comparatively skinny 5-4 being offered about Lenson Wilson for next Sunday’s potentially historic RPGTV Champion Hurdle Final at Central Park – writes Floyd Amphlett.
The defending champion went faster than all the flat open race winners on Sunday night with a 29.18 (-20) run. However, he only beat the promising Droopys Trawler by a length and a half with kennelmate Turnhouse Jet only 20 spots slower in the other qualifier. Jet, with faster sectionals, is drawn on Wilson’s inside in the final.
Holloway said: “I can see Turnhouse possibly challenging him early, but he hasn’t had the calibre of opposition that Wilson has faced so far and I think that makes all the difference. Also, Wilson is really coming into himself in recent weeks. He clocked a calculated 28.77 in a trial which is an unbelievable time for a hurdler.
“We have had a few problems with him. At Grand National time we found that his bloods were wrong and it has taken him a while to get the real Wilson back. But he is getting stronger as he gets older and I think it is his to lose.”
The local trainer is seeking a unique treble, not so much in trying to win the same event landing the forecast at three different tracks. Last year, Wilson led home Razldazl Star at Towcester. In 2016 Razldazl Raidio beat Mos Bullet at Wimbledon.
Holloway added: “I think there is more at stake than just the Champion Hurdle title. If Caislean Fifi were to win it, having won the Grand National, he would have to be Hurdler of the Year. If Wilson can with the Champion Hurdle, with an impressive win in the best hurdle field of the year, he would have to have a strong claim.”
In fact, it is quite an exciting time for the Holloway Kennel with three exciting novice hurdlers currently going through their paces in Droopys Cruiser, Bockos Tiger and King Sinatra.
Furthermore, Springbok winner Burgess Brandy and Cain Hill are both due to trial back after recovering from broken hocks.
Years ago, on the less forgiving grass tracks, it was quite common for dogs who had suffered broken hocks to be tried over hurdles. It was reckoned that the slower speeds – despite the jumping element – put less strain on the old injury at the bends.
Indeed Holloway has had his own positive experience of putting dogs over jumps following hock injuries.
He said: “Years ago, I was on the point of buying Jos Cigar from Simon Wooder. I had £8,000 in cash on me when the dog broke a hock at Walthamstow. Simon said, ‘obviously I can’t sell him to you now, but if you will pay for the operation, you can have him’.
“We got him fixed up and he went on to win the Grand National. What’s more, he had previously broken a hock on the other leg.”
