BOBBING GNAVATAR roared into Saturday’s Ladbrokes Grand National Final at Crayford by clocking the fastest time in the weekend’s semi-finals at the Kent venue.

 

The Barry O’Sullivan-trained timber-topper, winner of the RPGTV Supreme Hurdle on Derby final night at Towcester, was always bossing the second semi-final on Saturday once leading into the first bend as the September 2019 son of Sh Avatar and Muchas Gracias showed superb all-round speed to win.

 

Keeping up the pressure, Bobbing Gnavatar crossed the line three lengths clear of Champion Hurdle winner Borna Rhythm (Tony Collett), with Barnora Bubbles (Nick Deas) also qualifying for the £10,000-to-the-winner final over 380m. The winning time was a fastest-of-event 23.46sec (normal).

 

Magical Oscar, maintained his unbeaten record in the hurdlers’ Classic, staged for the first time at Crayford, with another impressive front-running display in the first semi-final.

 

Racing to a fast 3.59sec split, Ricky Holloway’s August 2020 son of Ballymac Best and Ballymac Natalie was soon in command and came home a length and three-quarters clear of Runwild Teddy (Jim Reynolds) and Springbok champion Lenson Doolin, a kennelmate of the winner, in 23.70sec (normal).

 

Winning trainer Holloway, who won last year’s Grand National at Central Park with Meenagh Maverick, said: “It’s great to have two finalists once again in an event everyone knows we love having a go at! We’ve got a great record in it and I’m delighted that both Lenson Doolin and Magical Oscar are in there.

 

“Doolin was in front in the no-race in the heats and then just had no luck in the semis. Hopefully a draw closer to the rail – he’s got trap two – will help him. Then again, he’s going to have to get away from Bobbing Gnavatar early you’d have to think – but we know what a great Doolin is when in front.

 

“I’m just over the moon with Oscar. He’s the youngest in the final by some way but has just really improved lately. He goes into the final unbeaten and, if he gets away again, they might need to catch him – and I’m certain there’s more to come.

 

“Either way, well done to Crayford for giving the Grand National a home. I know they have big plans for it in 2023 which is great – and make no mistake this means a lot for us, too! In terms of the overall number of major hurdles races won, should either of my pair win on Saturday we’d go in front of Colin West and Tommy Foster. That’d be something special.”

 

Crayford racing manager Danny Rayment said: “The Ladbrokes Grand National Final will be a fascinating contest for different reasons.

 

“With no railers in the line-up we’re hoping for a clean-run race early on for all participants – and we know they can run. Bobbing Gnavatar will be looking to add to his Supreme Hurdle title, Borna Rhythm will be trying to add to his Champion Hurdle crown and Lenson Doolin won the Springbok earlier this year.

 

“You’d think if any of this trio wins they’d be leading contenders for Hurdler of the Year. In fact, well done to Ricky Holloway for getting two through and either of his pair would probably succeed if getting round the turn ahead.”

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=391194&raceId=890154

 

Trap draw for Saturday’s finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Crayford/form-guides/Crayford-Finals-Form-Saturday-Morning-26th-November-2022.pdf