BURGESS DOC won a dramatic Cearnsport Springbok Final at Central Park on Sunday to land Monmore handler Lee Field the biggest success of his career.

In scooping the £5,000 first prize at the Kent venue, Field added to successes on the flat achieved by Fernhill Rex in the Northern Flat at Belle Vue and Fengate Collar at Peterborough, but Burgess Doc’s unbeaten run through the novice hurdlers’ championship secured him a first Category One success.

However, it was hardly plain sailing for the June 2017 son of Droopys Jet and Badminton Maid. The 6-4 favourite was led from the boxes by Bockos Rory (Belinda Green) and took a bump off that rival at the second bend before regaining his momentum. Closing the gap steadily, he hit the front approaching the last bend.

In behind, though, Nomansland Flyer (Ricky Holloway) was making huge ground and drew upsides Burgess Doc off the last bend, only to tangle with Forest Capri (Barry O’Sullivan) and almost fall at the final flight, giving the initiative back to the Monmore dog who won by a length from Bockos Rory in 30.06sec.

“I thought he was certain to win down the back, but he couldn’t pull away as you’d expect him too but he must have pulled something because he was sore at the drop,” said winning trainer Field. “The run really was better than it looks, he’s won the Springbok on three legs which shows how gutsy and classy the boy is.

“There’s been an issue throughout the event but he managed it well and I thought we had it under control. Whether the bump at the second made thinks worse I don’t know, but he was certainly feeling something, so we’re proud of his determination. He’ll have a good few weeks off now and then we’ll come back for the Grand National.”

Field, who took out his trainer’s licence in January 2018, thanked his staff for their work in and around Burgess Doc’s success – and also paid tribute to former trainer Chris Allsopp.

“Chris has been a real help,” he added. “He’s no stranger to winning big races so that experience has been great to hear from. The staff have played a blinder and thanks to all those who sent messages. It certainly cheered me up after Liverpool got beat by Watford. I’ve been teased about that but respond by saying the league’s still safe!

“So winning the Springbok really was special. It was a topsy-turvy race, but thankfully we won it. He ran for Pat Buckley in last year’s Derby at Nottingham before Craig Marston struck a deal to buy the dog for a few of my owners – Andrea Dale, Kevin Marston, Alex Candlish, Jim and Lyn Butland. It’s the best deal Craig has done!”

Dan Homewood, Central Park racing manager, said: “It was a great Springbok final, a really close finish with a deserved winner in Burgess Doc. His trainer Lee Field and his staff have certainly clocked up the miles getting here for a trial stakes and then three rounds. He’s proved the best novice hurdler around.

‘The supporting card was eventful. It was nice to see our Kent Derby winner Forest Alan back here and winning for Seamus Cahill, although it proved unlucky 13 I suppose for Turnhouse Jet. He was looking to make it 14 straight wins and looked unlucky in running, although it was a good performance from Ernie Gaskin’s Mane Mane to beat him.

“Overall it was a fantastic night and we now look forward to our next major event with the Kent Silver Salver over 265m – the heats are on Friday, March 20 with the semis on Friday, March 27 and the final on Friday, April 3. Entries close on March 17.”