LENSON DOOLIN retains a grip on the Arena Racing Company Springbok (480mH) after again setting the fastest time in the second semi-final of the novice hurdlers’ championship at Central Park on Monday.

Ricky Holloway’s runner, the short-priced ante-post favourite, had set the standard in the heats and the Champion Hurdle finalist was again largely foot-perfect as the heavy odds-on chance was soon in charge on his way to a two-and-a-quarter length success over kennelmate Aayamza Baron and Runwild Teddy (Jim Reynolds) in 29.96sec (normal).

The first semi-final saw another Holloway-trained runner oblige as Tullig Bee showed his rivals a clean pair of heels early as the December 2019 son of Droopys Jet and Hail Cleopatra ran right away from his rivals to win by seven lengths in 30.13sec.

The winner had finished fourth in his heat but now lines up in next Monday’s final along with his kennelmates as well as Bobbing Gnavatar (Barry O’Sullivan) and Over Speed Limit (Jim Reynolds) who qualified behind him.

Central Park racing manager Rob Killingbeck said: “You suspect it’s Lenson Doolin’s final to lose but it’s hurdles racing and you never just know. These are still novice hurdlers, still learning the game and anything can happen.

“However, having said all that, Doolin has a chunk in hand on the clock and has hardly put a paw wrong through the event. He was a fast dog on the flat for Patrick Janssens and has clearly taken to hurdling really well.

“You always expect Ricky (Holloway) to have a good chance in any hurdles competition with the strength in his kennel and he once again dominates the final, but both Jim Reynolds and Barry O’Sullivan have won the Springbok before so know what it takes.

“Of course, it’s not just about the Springbok for us on Monday morning because we’re also staging the final of the Arc Silver Salver, which has proved a really good event again. Havana Class of Liz and Rab McNair’s is favourite but again we know the margins are fine when it comes to sprinting as much as novice hurdlers!”

Back to the Springbok and victory for a Holloway-trained runner (Aayamza Baron, Lenson Doolin, Tullig Bee) in Monday’s final will give the Essex-based handler a fourth victory in the competition as a trainer after success for Westmead Meteor (2013), Lenson Wilson (2018) and Burgess Brandy (2019).

Jim Reynolds (Over Speed Limit, Runwild Teddy) is also a previous winner having struck with Deep Sensation at Wimbledon in 2003, while Barry O’Sullivan won the Springbok in 2015 with Reculver Ozzie. Both have fielded several finalists since.

Draw for Monday’s Arena Racing Company Springbok Final: 1 Aayamza Baron, 2 Bobbing Gnavatar (m), 3 Lenson Doolin (m), 4 Over Speed Limit (m), 5 Tullig Bee (w), 6 Runwild Teddy (w).