Winston Churchill said: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every diffiuclty.”
Ricky Holloway said: “Now is a great time to get a hurdler.”
The two comments might not appear to be entirely related, but there is a connection if you look hard enough.
On Sunday night, the first round of the ARC Champion Hurdle took place at Central Park. Holloway supplied two of the three heat winners, characteristically seeing his outsiders win as his favourites finished down the field. Quickest of the trio was Ritzy Spirit with a 12 length win in 29.69 (-50). Kennelmate Lenson Doolin clocked 29.95 and Julie Luckhurst’s Arsnasool Flash won his qualifier in 30.22. The trio meet in next Sunday’s first semi final.
It is hardly a news exclusive to point to the difficulties facing hurdle racing at present. The Champion Hurdle attracted only 15 of the advertised 36 entries leaving some some to question whether the niche brand of racing is living on borrowed time.
Ricky Holloway sees it differently.
He said: “Surely this is the best time to put a dog over hurdles! Look at an event like the Gold Cup at Monmore. You are running for the same level of prize money as the Champion Hurdle, but having to take on the best dogs in training. None of these hurdlers were outstanding on the flat.”
All true – but no one can deny the limitation of opportuninity.
Ricky said: “It is true but there are still opportunities there. The Grand National is scheduled for October and from November onwards you can start winning open races and qualify for the Springbok.
“Towcester now have a set of hurdles and Kevin Boothby has promised that they will defintely have some at Oxford which is ideal, being between the 380 at Crayford and the 480 at Central Park.
“But Crayford is really the model. Look what they have achieved by opening up their graded racing to hurdlers. Apart from the local trainers, I run mine there, so does Gemma Davidson and even Billeigh Jack has a hurdler. They must have 35 dogs available. What a fabulous initiative to keep racing interesting. There was a time when tracks insisted on every trainer having a couple of hurdlers, that could be done again.”
So what is the future of Holloways Hurdlers?
Ricky said: “I have 16 including four novices who weren’t quite ready for the Champion Hurdle but should be racing shortly. They include Pat Buckley;s former Derby dog Glengar Sholar who is showing great promise and Trubby Sigh who will be the natural replacement for Nomansland Flyer. He was unlucky last night. He was coming to challenge for the lead when he hit the hurdle and cut his legs. He is lame this morning but should only be off for a couple of weeks.
“He has been a marvellous servant and will be retired after this year’s Grand National.”
Which will leave who as the kennel’s number one string?
Ricky said: “Lenson Doolin. He badly needed the run on Sunday having not raced since May. But I would expect a big improvement from him. In my view he has the potential to be the top hurdler in training. In fact, I think he is good enough to win the Triple Crown.”
