SWIFT LOKI landed trainer James Turner a first GBGB Category One victory with his first finalist as the winner came again strongly to take the RPGTV Champion Hurdle Final at Central Park.

On a night when both Seamus Cahill (Droopys Trawler) and Ricky Holloway (Lenson Wilson) looked to join Tommy Foster as a five-time Champion Hurdle winner, it was the former Perry Barr now Crayford-based handler who lifted the famous trophy, staged for just the second time at Central Park.

Breaking smartly from trap four and taking advantage of a missed break from Billericay Blue, eventual winner Swift Loki was soon in front, although was forced to give best at the bend to Jim Reynolds’ dog who paced up and assumed command down the back. However, Turner felt his runner was always close enough.

“He stays well and I knew he’d given himself a massive chance by trapping so well – and so it proved,” he said, as Swift Loki came again on the run for home to hold staying-on Droopys Trawler by a length in 29.65sec (-30). The winner’s trackmate Billericay Blue was a further half a length back in third.

The victory delighted Turner, who thanked his family and staff for their support during a tough time personally during lockdown in which he lost his mother (Ann Brandon).

“It’s been an extremely difficult time, but for this dog lockdown was a blessing actually. It gave him a chance to recover from a niggling injury and he probably hasn’t looked back,” added the trainer, a one-time head lad to David Pruhs, who bought Swift Loki from Barry O’Sullivan’s kennel in October.

A July 2017 son of Swift Hoffman and Swift Elise, Swift Loki was disqualified on his debut at Yarmouth before joining O’Sullivan for clearing trials ahead of a reappearance in A1 company at Central Park. He also ran open class on the flat at the Kent track before switching to Crayford, having been schooled over hurdles by his former handler.

“Barry takes a lot of credit – they’ve got a hurdles academy there as everyone knows!” added Turner. “Myself and Patrick Rugg (Hazard Syndicate) bought him for jumps races at Crayford when I moved there, but we always had an eye on Central Park knowing he knew the place well.”

The Grand National is an obvious target for Swift Loki where he could clash with the Lee Field-trained winner of the Springbok, the novice hurdlers’ championship. Victory for either would put them in pole position for the GBGB Hurdler of the Year title, although Central Park expects plenty of quality against the pair.

“We might not get the numbers if the Champion Hurdle is anything to go by, although we obviously hope so, but we’ll certainly get the quality again in the National – there was some fantastic jumping going on this year,” said Rob Killingbeck, deputy racing manager at Central Park, who shares those duties with his role as track commentator.

He added: “I thought from start to finish it was a great evening’s racing on final night – from Kevin Hutton opening the show with his Denmark posting a fast time, to local sprint specialist Melodys Jack notching up another win for Paul Philpott. Stuart Maplesden was also on the mark with a big-priced double with Fayes Jet and Homeward Bound.

“The RPGTV Champion Hurdle Final itself was a sensational race – and such a pleasure to commentate on. I thought it might be a thriller and maybe a tight call in the closing stages – and it didn’t let me down!

“I was so pleased for James Turner winning his first Cat One. Swift Loki never gave up, even when headed. It was a very gutsy performance to challenge again coming to the final hurdle and win the competition. Well done all.”

Results: www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=364254&raceId=659052