LENSON DOOLIN, the short-priced ante-post favourite, set the standard with a fastest-of-the-round victory as the Arena Racing Company Springbok, the novice hurdlers’ championship, kicked off at Central Park on Monday.

Given an issue currently with the lighting at the Kent venue, the heats of the Springbok and supporting Arc Silver Salver will be staged at daytime meetings meaning Monday morning’s card provided rare open-race interest.

And it was Ricky Holloway’s runner, a finalist in the Champion Hurdle in December behind kennelmate Nomansland Flyer, who posted the quickest clock.

Lining up in the second heat, the heavy odds-on chance was soon in charge on his way to a one and three-quarter length success over kennelmate Cloyne History in 29.86sec (-30), with Runwild Teddy (Jim Reynolds) and Charlie Trend (Dan Brabon) also qualifying.

The first heat saw another favourite oblige as Tony Collett’s Borna Rhythm, third in the Chief Ramsbottom Hurdle at Crayford, again behind Nomansland Flyer, was soon in charge from the outside pitch on his way to comfortable victory.

Jumping well, this strong-running sort crossed the line almost five lengths clear of his rivals led by Bobbing Gnavatar (Barry O’Sullivan) who finished second ahead of fellow qualifiers Over Speed Limit (Jim Reynolds) and Skywalker Tiktok (Ricky Holloway).

The third semi-final went to the Jamie Kingsley-trained Smuts New Mut who was always handy before crossing the line a short-head in front of the subsequently disqualified Killieford Ally (Ricky Holloway), who now misses the semi-finals.

Two other Holloway-trained runners will, however, take their chance in Monday’s semis with Aayamza Baron and Tullig Bee qualifying in third and fourth here.

Central Park racing manager Rob Killingbeck, casting his eye over each of the heats, said: “Borna Rhythm was pure class in heat one and looks the only challenger to Lenson Doolin outright. He did it well and got the job done impressively, albeit Bobbing Gnavatar ran a big race to keep the winning distance under five lengths.

“As for heat two, which was ultimately won a touch comfortably by Lenson Doolin, I thought Charlie Trend a touch unlucky. He’s very fast on the flat but stumbled on landing after the third hurdle and afterwards his jumping wasn’t perfect.

“Nevertheless he scraped through to challenge another day, although clearly Lenson Doolin was different class. Cloyne History finished second here and came massively forward for his last run. He ran on strongly and looks interesting in the semis.

“Smuts New Mut banged out in the third semi and was soon in command and, while he was fought on the run-in, never gave up and held on for the victory. Unfortunately Killieford Ally had to go which means sadly there’s a vacant trap in semis.

“As for the Silver Salver what can you say about the McNairs! Winning all three heats was some feat – and Havana Class stands out, of course. He looks a machine. He didn’t break too cleverly but showed lots of pace and did it the hard way. I like that.”

Draw for Monday’s semi-finals: https://www.centralparkstadium.co.uk/assets/uploaded/files/documents/monday-28th-march-semi-finals.pdf