ROGER CEARNS, the Central Park promoter, is looking forward to Sunday’s Cearnsport Grand National Final at the track he proudly calls ‘the home of hurdling’.
This week’s £8,000-to-the-winner jumps’ Classic is the second leg of hurdling’s triple crown of major events – all of which are now staged at the Kent track.
Last month’s Springbok, won by Ricky Holloway’s Burgess Brandy, is followed by this week’s Grand National Final and the Champion Hurdle in July – sponsored by RPGTV.
Cearns said: “We staged our first Grand National in 2012 and our first Springbok in 2017, so securing the Champion Hurdle gives us the full set.”
Cearns, whose family built a former home of the Grand National in Wimbledon Stadium, has long been a fan of hurdles racing and is looking forward to final night.
He added “Seeing a top-class hurdler in action is just fantastic, so exciting, and we’re looking forward to another great final on Sunday.
“I’m proud to call Central Park the home of hurdling. We have trainers here who have enjoyed great success with hurdlers over the years, and a few are represented in the final.
“But the great thing this year was to see six different trainers qualify runners for the final – commiserations, of course, to Jason (Foster) for having to withdraw Barricane Jack.
“However, good luck to the connections of the other five finalists. They are aiming to follow in the line of some real champion hurdlers over the years.
“It’s a famous trophy dating back to 1927 and we are delighted to be racing for it again this year. Hopefully whoever wins comes back and tries to win the Champion Hurdle, too!”
Mane Mane and Caislean Fifi dominate the betting for Sunday’s showpiece after winning their respective semi-finals over 480mH last week.
Seamus Cahill’s Caislean Fifi kicked off proceedings with victory in the first semi as the Irish Grand National runner-up trapped well, paced up, and was never headed when winning by three lengths in 29.20sec (normal).
He was chased home by the unfortunate Barricane Jack and third-placed Turnhouse Jet. The latter is trained by Ricky Holloway who, like Seamus Cahill, eyes a fourth Grand National success at the weekend.
Mane Mane (29.48sec) landed the second semi for Ernie Gaskin, who was working for his father Ernie snr when the kennel grabbed Grand National gold with Elegant Brandy at Hall Green in 1995.
Gaskin’s runner, beaten favourite in the Springbok final, now lines up as the only unbeaten finalist on Sunday having led home Emiles Eske (Jim Reynolds) and Castlehill Wally (Barry O’Sullivan).
Now based at Central Park, Gaskin is therefore one of a host of trainers looking to land a local success in the Grand National is hoping Mane Mane can produce his best on the night.
“He’s running okay and has done well to win his heat and semi, but I don’t feel he’s hit the heights he did around the Springbok,” said Gaskin. “Hopefully it all comes together on the night for him.
“It’s a terrific final and Seamus’s dog looks to have the draw and he’s not an easy dog to beat, but you expect that – it’s a Grand National Final after all.
“What we need to do is break well and put it all together, and I’m hoping there’s a big run in him. He’s a cracking hurdler and I’m just delighted Tom (Mumford, owner) suggested we try him over the sticks.
“It was a great idea and he’s proved a natural. I don’t train many hurdlers and don’t like to see poor hurdles racing, but this dog has done well so far in his hurdles career. Fingers crossed for Sunday.”
Sunday’s Central Park card: www.centralparkstadium.co.uk/assets/uploaded/files/documents/sunday-28th-april-adv-card.pdf