| J SMITHS GRAND NATIONAL Central Park 480mH £8,000 Oct 3 |
| 1. RAZLDAZL RAIDIO (Razldazl Rioga-Razldazl Marilyn) (T6) 2-7 |
| 2. RAZLDAZL STAR (Razldazl Billy-Razldazl Marilyn) (T2) 25-1 |
| 3. BALLYMAC MANIX (Ballymac Vic-Moyar Kate) (T4) 8-1 |
| 4. BALLYMAC LEO (Premier Fantasy-Ballymac Linda) (T5) 12-1 |
| 5. JULIUS GEORGE (Kinloch Brae-Midway Skipper) (T1) 66-1 |
| 6. MYSTICAL CHARLIE (Hades Rocket-Bluebell Fantasy) (T3) 8-1 |
| 29.61 (N) 2¼, 4 ½, 2, 8¼, dis |
| Owner: Mr D A Jensen, Ms S M Wilson Trainer: Ricky Holloway |
An overdue win for the Raidio and a turn-up for Patrick Janssens – were the highlights of Tuesday’s Grand National/Kent Derby card from Central Park.
The feature event saw Razldazl Raidio take over the crown as the country’s top hurdler – a title that will surely be confirmed at a London hotel in early 2018.
Ricky Holloway’s black – 11 months younger than his great rival Ballymac Manix – went to traps with 37 wins from his 54 races.
But the dog who was beaten at odds-on in both the 2016 Springbok and Grand National deciders, now looks like the season hurdler he always promised to be.
He drew the striped jacket and went to traps as the 2-7f. . . .
It was a perfect return to form for the Dolores Ruth bred runner. It was Raidio’s fifth win in a row following a run of five losses in her previous six races. His winning time of 29.61 (N) was some way off his best over course and distance – his three previous outings had been clocked at 29.12, 29.12 and 29.14 – mainly as a result of the first bend bump that he received. He was followed home by half brother Razldazl Star contesting just his 20th race.
RAZLDAZL RAIDIO on the run in after clearing the final flight in the John Smiths Grand National Final. Photo: Steve Nash
Patrick Janssens was also on a recovery mission with Barricane Tiger – beaten in last year’s Kent Derby Final – but it was kennelmate Bockos Alfie who stole the £7,000 following an electric break from trap three. . . .
BOCKOS ALFIE (t3) wins the Cearnsport Kent Derby Final from King Kid (t6). Photo: Steve Nash
| CEARNSPORT KENT DERBY Central Park 480m £7,000 October 3 |
| 1. BOCKOS ALFIE (Droopys Scolari-Ballymac Scarlet) (T3) 12-1 |
| 2. KING KID (Droopys Scolari-Shaws Dilemma) (T6) 10-3 |
| 3. DROOPYS GOLD (Loughteen Blanco-Droopys Force) (T4) 7-4f |
| 4. SILVERHILL CONOR (Paradise Madison-Silverhill Tina) (T5) 7-1 |
| 5. BARRICANE TIGER (Razldazl Jayfkay-Dirt Bird) (T1) 4-1 |
| 6. DOROTAS DEL MAR (Droopys Oscar-Droopys Danneel) (T2) 6-1 |
| 28.84 (N) 1¼, 1½, 1, sh, 3½ |
| Owner: Mrs B Lockhead Trainer: Patrick Janssens |
Owner Bev Lochead with her Kent Derby winner Bockos Alfie.
Photo: Steve Nash
