SEAGLASS SMOKEY set the standard with a fastest-of-the-round victory as the Cearnsport 2021 Springbok kicked off at Central Park on Sunday.

The Patrick Janssens-trained timber-topper posted 29.55sec (-20) in heat four of the novice hurdlers’ championship to complete a good few days for the champion trainer after Bockos Jon Jo’s Coral Golden Sprint victory.

Quickly away and soon in command, Seaglass Smokey justified prohibitive 1-5 odds to run out a 12-length winner of the contest, finishing clear of Gartcloss Jaxx (Seamus Cahill) and Deadly Brooklyn (Jim Daly) – all three qualifying for Sunday’s semi-finals.

Meenagh Maverick kicked off the competition in the perfect style for three-time winning Springbok trainer Ricky Holloway with a strong-running effort in heat one.

Led from the boxes by fast-starting Four Fifty Max (Jim Reynolds), who ran in the Irish Grand National, odds-on favourite Meenagh Maverick got to the leader by the fourth behind for a near-three lengths win in 29.78sec (-30).

Coolavanny Archy (Seamus Cahill) was third here and the Hove handler, as well as Crayford-based Reynolds, secured additional semi-final qualifiers as Cahill’s Ardrath Albert and Reynolds’ Ballymac Lucifer finished behind winner Droopys Rex.

The David Mullins-trained three-time Springbok trial stakes winner returned to the track with an impressive effort, breaking well and making all in heat two in 30.00sec (-30).

Winning trainer Mullins said: “We’re delighted with the run. He’s had an Achilles issue after that last trial stakes win in January and we actually thought he might miss the event.

“He’s been nursed back and always needed Sunday’s run, so hopefully will improve. The week between heats and semis certainly help and we know his jumping is really good.

“I’d go as far to say he’s the best hurdler in the competition. He might not be the fastest but he’s the best jumper and you could see that at the very first hurdle on Sunday. He missed the break but paced up and then gained a couple of lengths on them over the first hurdle.

“He jumps low and fast and will need to be foot-perfect in the semis. It’s a tough draw on paper for Rex and another of ours Woodcocks Aero against Patrick’s dog (Seaglass Smokey) and our own, but we’ll give it a go.

“I know Aero was a big price, but he was a fast dog on the flat at Newcastle and before then Nottingham – and he’s done it nicely now over the sticks.”

Showing good early pace and jumping well, Woodcocks Aero was soon in front in heat three on his way to completing a double for Romford trainer Mullins.

He crossed the line three-quarters of a length clear of the always-handy Aim For Glory (Seamus Cahill) and Tookmaker Daddy (Ricky Holloway). The winning time was 29.96sec (-30).

Central Park racing manager Dan Homewood said: “I thought overall it was a good batch of heats on another cracking open-race card here at Central Park.

“On the clock Seaglass Smokey looks to have a real advantage, but you couldn’t fail to be impressed by the impeccable jumping of Droopys Rex. Seeing the pair drawn side by side in the semis on Sunday promises a cracking head-to-head.”

Draw for Sunday’s semi-finals: www.centralparkstadium.co.uk/assets/uploaded/files/documents/march-28th-springbok-semis-and-stayers-final.pdf