RICKY HOLLOWAY duly landed his sixth Grand National title on an emotional night at Crayford as Signet Harper became a rare bitch winner of the Ladbrokes-sponsored jumpers’ Classic.

The Tony Brealey-owned runner was soon dominating outside and never headed as the November 2021 daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Not Too Late stretched ahead to complete an unbeaten run through the £10,000-to-the-winner Category One which shared the stage with the finals of the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Gold Collar and Ladbrokes Kent Rose Bowl.

Crossing the line two and a half lengths of Chippy Brady (Barrie Backhurst, in his second consecutive Grand National final, and Traceys Sydney (Barry O’Sullivan), Signet Harper posted 23.56sec for the 380m trip (+10).

Bred by Kevin Hutton, Signet Harper also becomes a rare British-bred winner of the Grand National in its long history and Holloway was delighted to have won a sixth Grand National with her, albeit felt the emotion of the night.

The midweek announcement of the “intended closure” of Crayford by Entain certainly put a dampener on the celebrations, although Holloway was still very proud to have add to his list of successes in the Grand National after Mo’s Bullet (2015), Razldazl Raidio (2017), Roxholme Biscuit (2020), Meenagh Maverick (2021) and Coppice Fox (2023), plus victory as an owner with Jos Cigar in 2007.

“She’s certainly the first British-bred bitch I’ve trained to win a Grand National – and she’s probably the first British-bred bitch ever to win a Grand National!” said Holloway. “She’s just an absolute darling.”

Danny Rayment, Crayford racing manager, congratulated major winners on the night – Signet Harper (Grand National), Aayamza Sydney (Gold Collar) and Yahoo Megan (Kent Rose Bowl) but admitted to mixed feelings.

He said: “This week’s news has knocked us all for six and has been more than just a distraction, but the team put their professional heads on and the major competitions certainly delivered – and Aayamza Sydney’s win was particularly special. I know it’s been said – and we still hope that’s not the case – but if John’s (Mullins) dog is the last winner of the Gold Collar at Crayford then to win with a track record is special.

“Also special was Signet Harper winning the Grand National and seeing both hurdles Cat Ones being one by bitches after Nunhead Shiv winning the Champion Hurdle was certainly different – and well done to them.

“Thankyou to all the staff and well done to all of Sunday’s winners. Seeing the faces of winning connections always makes what we do worth it – and Crayford big-race presentations are among the best.

“Sunday was difficult but we press on. The response from the greyhound community has been very positive and encouraging – there is some hope for us there – and, from the wider community in Crayford, we’ve had lots of love.

“They do not want us to go anywhere!”