WE continue the countdown to greyhound racing’s night of the year – the GBGB Greyhound of the Year Awards at the Royal Lancaster London, this Sunday (January 26) by looking at those stars of the track who have made the list of nominations for the various award categories.

We concentrate now on the GBGB Hurdler of the Year nominations – Burgess Brandy, Caislean Fifi and Turnhouse Jet – and talk to the trainers of each of the runners about how the year panned out for their charges, and their chances of taking the award.

Last year’s GBGB Hurdler of the Year was Lenson Wilson for trainer Ricky Holloway and owners Roger Cearns and David Jensen.

BURGESS BRANDY

bd d Vans Escalade – Borna Helena, Feb 2016

Trainer: Ricky Holloway, Central Park

Owner: Ricky Holloway

Claims to fame: Ran unbeaten through the Cearnsport Springbok at home track Central Park, landing back-to-back wins in the novice hurdlers’ championship for his trainer before breaking down in the Grand National. He is now retired and lives at home with Holloway.

Trainer says: “Brandy was a very good greyhound on the flat in Ireland. He went unbeaten through the Red Mills Future Champion Unraced at Enniscorthy and then ran in the Derby at Towcester for Peter Cronin. With a dog of that class, I knew he’d go well if coming through schooling with us – and he certainly did. It was a really good Springbok final. He had to catch Mane Mane and then Droopys Trawler came at him, but he was brave in front and would be denied. Unfortunately he was injured in the heats of the National, but is now living the life here at the kennels. He’s in good form and will always be well thought of as giving me my third Springbok as a trainer – I also won it twice as a owner.”

CAISLEAN FIFI

be d Superior Product – Ballyregan Fifi, Sept 2015

Trainer: Seamus Cahill, Hove

Owners: Joss Barnfather, Tony Camsell, John Hardman & Jimmy Wright

Claims to fame: Winner of the Cearnsport Grand National at Central Park to land his trainer a record-equalling fourth success in the event. Also set a track record for the sprint hurdles trip at the Kent track during a superb year. Now retired and homed.

Trainer says: “We always hoped he’d have a good year. He’d finished second in the Irish Grand National the previous year, so going one better in the English version was great. He’s such a consistent dog – just look at the stats. He never finished outside the first three in all his hurdles races. He came down to us from Jimmy (Wright) and Angela’s (Harrison) as a fast dog – he’d won opens up there, racing against dogs like Droopys Expert and Cooneen Jack. He was just thinking about things more on the flat, but showed his best form over hurdles. We had a few niggles during the year so he probably didn’t win as any races as we’d have liked, but he’s a Grand National champion and that’s history.”

TURNHOUSE JET

bk d Laughil Duke – Jaytee China, Aug 2016

Trainer: Ricky Holloway, Central Park

Owner: Mark Cottle

Claims to fame: Ran unbeaten through the RPGTV Champion Hurdle Final at Central Park, having also reached the Grand National decider (fourth), and ended the year on a winning sequence of 12 – all at the hurdles-friendly Kent track.

Trainer says: “One more win gives him the record for an unbeaten sequence over hurdles – and he’ll be back soon. He just improved throughout the year and deserved the Champion Hurdle. He was always behind my other Springbok dogs – he came into the kennel later and his schooling and preparation was rushed. He actually fell in a trial stakes for the Springbok then made a mistake in the heats, and still wasn’t the finished article in the Grand National. But we brushed up his schooling and he came on in leaps and bounds, literally! He’s been unbeatable since and his owner, who travels down from Scotland when he can to watch him, have been great. He was a good dog on the flat – even better over hurdles. In fact he’s become the model hurdler.”

The winners will be presented with their awards at the GBGB Awards at the Royal Lancaster London, on Sunday, January 26.

*For further details and ticket information contact the GBGB on 020 7822 0902 or email awards@gbgb.org.uk.