BORNA RHYTHM landed local trainer Tony Collett a first victory in the event when racing away to win the Arc Champion Hurdle at Central Park on Sunday.

 

Part-owned by Collett, Charlie Pocknell and David Neil, the January 2019 son of Cloran Paddy and Borna Gem was an A1 performer on the flat at the Kent venue before taking up hurdling and looked a leading contender for the Arc Springbok at the track when winning his heat impressively in March.

 

However, a setback forced his withdrawal ahead of the semi-finals and he was off the track for over two months before returning with races on the flat and then a trial stakes victory for the Champion Hurdle over subsequent event third Tullig Bee (Ricky Holloway).

 

Wins over 540m hurdles at Crayford followed, underlining his stamina, and that was in evident in Sunday’s final as a handy position early was turned into a winning one as Borna Rhythm powered to the front off the last bend to collar favourite and Springbok winner Lenson Doolin (Ricky Holloway) by a length and three-quarters in 29.93sec (normal).

 

Central Park racing manager Rob Killingbeck, who called the race live as track commentator, said: “You always felt Lenson Doolin’s draw in trap five might just be too wide for him – I think he’s better further in, which became apparent when Lemming Shoni (Jim Reynolds) in the four-box got the better break which held Doolin up early.

 

“You’d say the surprise package was Tullig Bee who went straight to the front to set the fractions with Borna Rhythm never far away throughout. To Lenson Doolin’s credit he then got going to challenge and take it up down the back from an impossible position, but with Borna Rhythm still lurking and having a finishing kick the writing was on the trophy!

 

“So well done to Tony Collett’s runner. It’s always special seeing a Central Park-based greyhound win a big race here and I couldn’t be happier for Tony, his part-owner and trainer, for this well-deserved victory.

 

“As ever Ricky Holloway’s hurdlers were not easily beaten here and he’s ended up with second and third in the Champion Hurdle. He’s got a great record in this event, as well as all the other hurdles ‘majors, so we know Ricky will be back bigger and stronger for the next big hurdles event here which is the Arc Grand National.

 

“Just a reminder for trainers and owners that entries for this close on October 12 with the heats taking place here on Sunday, October 16 – the same dates as for the Arc Kent Derby. It’s a great big-race double-header we’re looking forward to here.”

 

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=389340&raceId=875151