Ricky Holloway is aiming for his seventh Ladbrokes Champion Hurdle triumph after securing four finalists for this weekend’s £10,000 decider following Sunday’s semi-finals of the Category One jumps event.
In the quicker of the two semi-finals, Holloway’s Harlequin Ernie led from the front and maintained his lead, winning by three-quarters of a length over another of Holloway's dogs, Razldazl Randall. Allison Kelly-Pilgrim's Droopys Fivestar claimed the third spot to qualify for Sunday's final, with the favourite, Razldazl Barkley, missing out by finishing fourth. The winning time was recorded at 23.78 seconds (+20).
The second semi-final saw no success for the favourites as Barry O’Sullivan’s Traceys Sydney faced a tough race, nearly falling at the last two bends. Meanwhile, 33-1 underdog Nunhead Shiv seized the opportunity, leading from the start and finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of Holloway’s Dazl Hermes and Four From Two, with a time of 23.86 seconds (+20) over the 380m distance.
With six-time Champion Hurdle winner Holloway training two-thirds of Sunday’s final line-up, he is poised to continue his winning streak, following last year's victory with Lenson Doolin. His previous winners include Soviet Military, Razldazl Raidio, Lenson Wilson, Turnhouse Jet, and Toolmaker Daddy.
Trap draw for Sunday’s Ladbrokes Champion Hurdle Final at Crayford, 380m:
1. Harlequin Ernie (Ricky Holloway)
2. Dazl Hermes (Ricky Holloway)
3. Razldazl Randall (m) (Ricky Holloway)
4. Four From Two (w)
5. Droopys Fivestar (w)
6. Nunhead Shiv (w) (Barry O’Sullivan)