WE continue the countdown to greyhound racing’s night of the year – the GBGB Greyhound of the Year Awards at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London, on Sunday – by looking at those stars of the track who have made the list of nominations for the various award categories.

We complete our look at the leading contenders with the GBGB Hurdler of the Year 2018 – Lenson Wilson, Parkers Dynamite and Razldazl Raidio – and talk to the trainers of each of the runners about how the year panned out for their charges, and their chances of taking the award.

Last year’s GBGB Hurdler of the Year was Razldazl Raidio, also nominated this year, for trainer Ricky Holloway and owners Stella Wilson and David Jensen.

LENSON WILSON

bk d Scolari Me Daddy – Killduff Kerry, Aug 2015

Trainer: Ricky Holloway, Central Park

Owners: Stella Wilson, Ricky Holloway & David Jensen

Claims to fame: Winner of the novice hurdlers’ championship, the Cearnsports Springbok, at Central Park before heading to Towcester and being successful in the Star Sports Champion Hurdle at the Towcester. Overall notched 15 open-race wins in 2018.

Trainer says: “On paper he had some tough draws in the heats and semis of the Springbok, but you wouldn’t have thought it. He won the event by an aggregate 42 lengths! It was a special final for us given we got the first and second again with Aayamzacraftyone following Wilson home. We’ve now done that in all there major hurdling competitions. It’s great Central Park have got all the hurdles events now, and Wilson will certainly be going for the Champion Hurdle and Grand National – the National is the main target to complete the triple crown of hurdles races.”

PARKERS DYNAMITE

bk d Kinloch Brae – Toms Delight, April 2015

Trainer: Mark Wallis, Henlow

Owner: Sarah Parker

Claims to fame: Winner of the John Smith’s Grand National at Central Park, in which he led home defending champion and 2018 GBGB Hurdler of the Year Razldazl Raidio, reversing form from the semi-finals.

Trainer says: “Winning the Grand National is always special, and we’ve managed to win it three times now. What was satisfying about this dog is that he – and us – got it right on the night it mattered for him. He had a few niggles during the year so probably didn’t win as any races as we’d have liked, but he’s a Grand National champion and that’s history, of course. Hopefully we can get him right for a crack at it again this year.”

RAZLDAZL RAIDIO

bk d Razldazl Rioga – Razldazl Marilyn, April 2014

Trainer: Ricky Holloway, Central Park

Owners: Stella Wilson, Ricky Holloway & David Jensen

Claims to fame: The reigning GBGB Hurdler of the Year, the 2017 Grand National winner was runner-up in 2018 to Parkers Dynamite in what was a third appearance in the final. Continued his prolific-scoring career with another 12 open-race wins during the year – including fastest times of the year at Central Park (28.97sec), Hove (30.09sec) and Sheffield (29.33sec).

Trainer says: “He’s now retired and on the sofa – but what a career. He’s one of the all-time greats who broke a host of track records – eight in all – and won 54 of his 84 races in the UK. For two years running he was the winning most open-racer of the year and won a Grand National and Champion Hurdle – in fact he was also second in two other Grand Nationals. Even as a veteran he was beating his younger rivals, including our own Lenson Wilson, in the Central Park Hurdle in August – one of the best hurdles fields last year.”

The winners will be presented with their awards at the GBGB Awards 2018 which will be held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge tomorrow.