BOBBING GNAVATAR landed his second major jumps victory of the year – and his third title in all – when winning the Ladbrokes Grand National Final at Crayford on Saturday.

 

Trained by Barry O’Sullivan for the Bobbing Along Syndicate, the September 2019 son of Sh Avatar and Muchas Gracias had won the RPGTV Supreme Hurdle at Towcester on Star Sports English Derby Final night and followed up with success in the two-run October Stayers Hurdle Trophy over Crayford’s 540m trip.

 

Always fancied to go well in the 380m hurdlers’ Classic after drawing trap one in an all-seeded field for the Grand National final, Bobbing Gnavatar had posted the fastest semi-final time seven days previously and followed up in superb style, albeit had to repel a strong challenge from Springbok winner Lenson Doolin to claim the £10,000 decider.

 

Breaking smartly from the inside slot, Bobbing Gnavatar moved off from the traps as expected but held his position into the turn to lead his field and was always in pole position thereafter. However, Lenson Doolin (Ricky Holloway) produced a strong challenge into the third bend before challenging for the lead.

 

The pair came together but it was Bobbing Gnavatar who recovered best as they straightened up and powered ahead to land the spoils by a length and a quarter from 

Lenson Doolin, with Arc Champion Hurdle winner Borna Rhythm (Tony Collett) finishing strongly to join issue just behind the runner-up. The winning time was 23.71sec (+10).

 

For winning trainer O’Sullivan, victory for Bobbing Gnavatar landed him a second Grand National title some 26 years after his first given Dynamic Display’s success at Hall Green came in 1996. The kennel has field several finalists since and schooled many other champions at their schooling track in Fawkham, Kent.

 

O’Sullivan said: “It’s great to win the Grand National again – it’s been a while! – and I’m delighted to do it for Mark Yeomanson, who runs the Bobbing Along Syndicate. It’s a syndicate named after the village they come from just outside Sittingbourne.

 

“It was great to win at Towcester on such a big night as Derby final night but this is also special. I’ve got to give credit to my daughter Rosie who held things together during my long spell off after the accident – and to dad (Terry) who schooled this dog. Thanks also to Crayford for staging the Grand National in the first place.

 

“We always knew 380m would be on the sharp side for him, so he had to be in the thick of things early. He’s actually got a very good record there – but more over 540m, than 380m, so it’s good to hear Crayford’s intention to make it 540m next year. He’ll hopefully be back to defend his title. Thanks, as ever, to Crayford for their hospitality on the day.”

 

Crayford racing manager Danny Rayment said: “The Ladbrokes Grand National Final delivered once again as a spectacle and it was great to stage this historic competition for the first time, alongside two other Category One events – the Ladbrokes Cesarewitch and Gold Collar finals, as well as the Ladbrokes Kent Rose Bowl, a Category Three.

 

“Congratulations to Barry O’Sullivan and connections of Bobbing Gnavatar. Barry was for many years a Crayford trainer before heading off to Central Park, but he’s back here as such now as part of a dual attachment – and has plenty of friends here, of course. It was certainly a popular victory given the involvement of his dad Terry, too.”

 

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=391426&raceId=892116