TURNHOUSE JET landed Ricky Holloway a fourth Champion Hurdle victory with a front-running display to lift the £8,000 prize backed by Racing Post Greyhound TV at Central Park.

One of two Holloway-trained finalists, Turnhouse Jet had been knocked out in the heats of the Springbok but then reached the Grand National Final behind Caislean Fifi, finishing fourth, but the trainer always felt he was an improving hurdler.

“He was always behind my other Springbok dogs,” explained Holloway. “He came into the kennel later and his schooling and preparation was rushed. He fell in a trial stakes for the Springbok then made a mistake in the heats.

“We brushed up his schooling and he’s come on in leaps and bounds, pardon the pun!” added Holloway. “He won an H1 before the event at Central Park and then went unbeaten through the Champion Hurdle. We’re delighted.”

Lining up alongside kennelmate and reigning champion Lenson Wilson in the final, and paraded by Holloway’s assistant Paul Longland, Turnhouse Jet (pictured below, t3) trapped smartly and was soon in charge of the decider.

Jumping well, he was never headed and held the strong-running Droopys Trawler (Seamus Cahill) by a length to the line in 29.59sec (normal) with the latter’s kennelmate and Grand National winner Caislean Fifi back in third.

“I always felt the draw made things difficult for Lenson Wilson (fifth),” added Holloway. “He was always going to struggle to get round Turnhouse Jet, who’s a really jealous dog. He only does what he wants to do – and that was to win Sunday’s race!”

Owned by Mark Cottle, who was joined by his father Dougie and friend Robert Grant at the presentation podium, victory for the August 2016 son of Laughil Duke and Jaytee China delighted connections, who had made the trip down from Scotland to see their charge win.

“We always knew he was a fast dog,” said Cottle. “He’d run Droopys Expert close in a race at Newcastle but, when he turned his head and was disqualified, there was only one man to turn to! We sent him to Ricky and the rest is history.”

Holloway, who won the Springbok with Burgess Brandy, paid tribute to Central Park which was staging the third leg of the hurdles triple crown. “Central Park are doing great things for hurdles racing and well done to Roger Cearns and his team,” he added.

“Crayford are also playing their part and I’m sure we’ll be looking at hurdles race both here and at Crayford for Turnhouse Jet between now and the end of the year. He’s won the Champion Hurdle now and Caislean Fifi the Grand National for Seamus (Cahill).

“Hopefully they’ll have a few more clashes, along with Droopys Trawler of course. I’ve also got a few exciting novices in for schooling, but you’d say Turnhouse Jet and Caislean Fifi are the ones now in pole for GBGB Hurdler of the Year.

“Don’t forget Lenson Wilson, too. He’ll also play a part in the major events coming up given some of the unbelievable times he’s still doing. We’ve also got our Springbok champion Burgess Brandy on his way back soon, too.

“It’ll be interesting how the year pans out, but I’m just delighted Turnhouse Jet is now showing what I always thought – that he could be as good as Lenson Wilson. This is my fourth Champion Hurdle – I might come out of retirement and go for a fifth next year!”