RICKY HOLLOWAY has a stranglehold on the Colossus Bets Grand National at Central Park with four of the finalists as he bids for a fourth victory in the famous event. Holloway sent out the winners of both semi-finals at the Kent track on Sunday.

Nomansland Flyer (29.69sec) was quickest as he improved on his heat victory when coming through strongly to catch longtime leader Billericay Blue (Jim Reynolds) on the run for home – then holding the staying-on pair of Toughest Test (Reynolds) and evergreen kennelmate Lenson Wilson.

Roxholme Biscuit (30.33sec) was another strong-running Holloway winner in the second semi-final as, after early crowding and a stumble down the back, the two-year-old hit the front at the fourth bend to cross the line a length clear of kennelmate Roxholme Butt and the James Turner-trained Subterfuge.

A delighted Holloway, who numbers Grand National victories courtesy of Jos Cigar (2007), Mo’s Bullet (2015) and Razldazl Raidio (2017), said: “I thought the semis were exciting and basically ran to form – and I’m certainly happy with the outcome. It promises to be a thrilling Grand National final.

“Nomansland Flyer certainly has the winning habit now and fairly flew home and to be joined in the final by Lenson Wilson is just fantastic. He’s very much an old boy now but is looking to complete the set of big hurdles wins. He’s already won the Springbok and Champion Hurdle and is a former Hurdler of the Year.

“Roxholme Biscuit is very much the new kid on the block – and he’s already won the Kent National Hurdle – while it’s good Nomansland Flyer is upholding the Springbok form. He was unlucky in that final.

“Roxholme Butt is a raw novice but stayed on well being Biscuit. He’ll improve and it’s some achievement to be in a Grand National final in just his third hurdles race.

“Overall it’s great to have four in the final and it’d be fantastic to win Grand National number four. But I’m taking nothing for granted and looking forward to all the dogs coming off safe and sound on Sunday.

“I think all my four have chances on the draw and just hope they can serve up a thriller – and hold off the Crayford challengers! They ran great semi-finals themselves to make a superb final.

“Once again big thanks go the sponsors Colossus Bets who deserve great credit for coming to the fore for greyhound racing – especially hurdles racing.”

Dan Homewood, Central Park’s racing manager, said: “Well done to Ricky (Holloway) for his four finalists, but also to Jim (Reynolds) and James (Turner) who will be keen that Ricky doesn’t have things all his own way!

“It looks a good final, not easy to name a winner, although I’d imagine the betting will make Roxholme Biscuit the one to beat. It’s great to see Lenson Wilson in another major jumps final and he could complete the set if winning, which would be some achievement.”

“Our thanks as ever to Colossus Bets. We had a great sponsorship from them for the Kent Silver Salver and them supporting the most famous jumps race in the GBGB Calendar has been superb – and we’ve got a great final to look forward to.

“Indeed it should be a great card all-round with trial stakes for the [Ladbrokes] Kent Derby, a maiden final and our usual varied card.”

Trap draw for Sunday’s final: www.centralparkstadium.co.uk/assets/uploaded/files/documents/8th-nov-adv-card.pdf