Ricky Holloway Dominates Ladbrokes Grand National Semi-Finals

Ricky Holloway continues his march toward a record-breaking sixth Ladbrokes Grand National title as a trainer—and seventh as an owner—with an impressive showing in Sunday’s heats at Crayford. Holloway claimed victory in three of the four heats of the £10,000 hurdles classic, securing eight of the 12 semi-finalist spots. Remarkably, all six runners in the second semi-final will represent his kennel.

Crayford racing manager Danny Rayment acknowledged Holloway’s dominance but noted that the competition remains fierce. He pointed out that while Holloway won’t have all six finalists, his team remains the one to beat. Rayment added that it’s a relief to see the Grand National back at Crayford, considering the uncertainty earlier in the year, and praised the improved entries compared to last year.

The first heat saw Holloway’s Harlequin Ernie, runner-up in the Ladbrokes Champion Hurdle, recover from a bump to pull ahead early and win by three-and-a-half lengths over kennelmate Dazl Hermes and Barry O’Sullivan’s Jaxx Hells Angel, clocking 23.58sec (+10). 

In heat two, Signet Harper, one of the leading contenders for the title, led a Holloway trifecta by finishing one-and-a-quarter lengths clear of Mickys Tribute and Droopys Finn, recording an identical time of 23.58sec (+10).

Patterdale Zorro delivered the fastest performance of the night in heat three, setting a blistering sectional time of 3.52sec and leading from start to finish. He completed his race in 23.51sec (+20), finishing one-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of Chippy Brady (Barrie Backhurst) and Holloway’s Cloheena Rodney.

Holloway’s chance for a clean sweep was thwarted in the final heat, where Barry O’Sullivan’s Traceys Sydney emerged victorious. After being crowded out in the Champion Hurdle semi-final, Traceys Sydney bounced back to dominate, winning by a comfortable seven-and-a-half lengths over Magical Oscar (Holloway) and Burning Bullet (Jim Reynolds) in 23.55sec (+20). Impressively, less than a second separated the times of all four heat winners.

With the semi-finals approaching, Holloway’s kennel remains in a commanding position, but the competition, led by Traceys Sydney, will be looking to challenge his dominance in this prestigious event.