MEENAGH MAVERICK went one better than in last month’s Springbok when reeling in kennelmate Toolmaker Daddy to win the RPGTV Grand National at Central Park on Sunday.

Landing trainer Ricky Holloway a fourth win in the jumpers’ Classic as a trainer – and a fifth in total as owner of 2007 champion Jos Cigar – the local handler now draws alongside Seamus Cahill and Colin West as winningmost trainers in the event.

With four finalists, the odds were always stacked in Holloway’s favour and, once Toolmaker Daddy had trapped in front and led the charge – and strong-running Meenagh Maverick had out-trapped red-boxed Bang On Sonia (Nathan Hunt) to turn in a pitch – it was very much plain sailing for the Essex-based handler.

Leading the chasing pack off the second behind the one-time Irish Cesarewitch finalist Toolmaker Daddy, Meenagh Maverick made giant strides down the far side with the April 2018 son of the Droopys Roddick and Slippery Cinders hitting the front on the run for home to win going away by one a half lengths in 29.53sec.

Owned by Holloway and Simon Trubshaw, victory for Meenagh Maverick added to the trainer’s previous successes in the competition with Mo’s Bullet (2015), Razldazl Raidio (2017) and Roxholme Biscuit last year.

A one-two for Holloway secured, repeating his feat last year with Roxholme Biscuit (also part-owned by Trubshaw) and Nomansland Flyer, a delighted winning trainer paid tribute to his star jumpers.

“It’s the greyhounds themselves who deserve all the credit,” he said. “They’re a pleasure to be involved with and, like me, they love their hurdling. You just try and get them to the track as well as possible and let them do the talking on the track – although anyone who listened to my interviews this week will know I thought Meenagh Maverick would run a big race.

“He was really unlucky in the Springbok – and that’s no disrespect to David (Mullins) and Droopys Rex who, as we’ve seen tonight when winning the Consolation race, is a really good hurdler. But Maverick just got held up early and that was crucial. This time he trapped well and turned handy – and you know there’s no stopping him after that.

“He’s put himself in line to be Hurdler of the Year already – and that’s also something we love to win! We’ve hopefully still got the Champion Hurdle to come, as well as competitions here and at Crayford – actually it’d be nice for other tracks to get involved and support this game. Many have let it down!

“But thanks to Central Park and to Crayford – and a special thanks to Crayford for also allowing me to school my hurdlers there – we’re able to see some great jumps racing, and haven’t they served us up a treat tonight. It was another brilliant hurdles race and the crowds will love to see these greyhounds jump when they come back.”

Holloway also paid tribute to outgoing Central Park promoter Roger Cearns, a keen supporter of hurdles racing.

He said: “Roger’s passion and commitment to hurdles racing should not be understated. I’m not sure we’d have this code of the sport – let alone a Grand National – if it wasn’t for Roger. He’s kept the Cearns family tradition going and the sport should give Roger great credit for what he has done for many years.”

For his part and referring to the Kent track set to become part of the Arena Racing Company, Cearns said: “Yes, it seems the end of an era after some 20 years but the time is right for me – and I know the track, the staff and the greyhounds will be well looked after. They are in good hands.

“When we were arrived here, the track was overgrown and required huge work, but we’ve built a well-operated, safe and efficient greyhound track which serves both the betting industry and also as a safe and family-friendly venue for a good night out – when such things are allowed, of course.

“I’m delighted Ricky (Holloway) has won my last Grand National, if you like. But while I’m now handing over the reins of the greyhound track and operation, I still plan to be involved in speedway racing. It’s another passion of mine and, if anything, was even more hit by the pandemic than greyhound racing.

“Thankfully we’re back next week with the speedway – which means my plans to spend even more time on the beach will have to wait!”