Champion Bumper Prospect Leads Walk In The Park Treble

Paul Nicholls is considering the Cheltenham Champion Bumper for No Drama This End (4g Walk In The Park – La Segnora, by Turgeon) after the trainer was “blown away” by the grey’s rules debut on New Year’s Eve.

The son of Walk In The Park sold to Nicholls and Tom Malone for £160,000 after a wide-margin debut win for Will Biddick in February, which saw him go off second-favourite for Tuesday’s bumper at Warwick. Racing prominently under Harry Cobden, he led before the final furlong and drew clear under hands and heels. Eased down close home, he won by three and a half lengths, while the favourite finished four and three quarter lengths clear of the third.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said: “He did do a very nice racecourse gallop a few weeks ago and we thought he'd run well, but that blew us away. We like him and he'll have a tentative entry for the Cheltenham bumper.

“If it was soft, we'd possibly consider it. Whether it's there or at Aintree, or somewhere else, he'll have one more run this season then go hurdling in the autumn.”

Bred by Mrs Dale Adams, and owned by the McNeill family with Chris and Giles Barber, No Drama This End was completing a double on the card for his sire.

Crazierthandaisy (5m Walk In The Park – Daisy De Sivola, by Assessor) justified favouritism in the mares’ novices’ hurdle for Nicky Henderson and owner/breeder Kenny Alexander.

Successful in a bumper last season, she had finished second on her first two starts over hurdles, and has now won or placed on all of her career starts.

Meanwhile, at Punchestown, Shannon Royale (6g Walk In The Park – Shannon Rose, by Topanoora) got off the mark over fences in the opening Beginners Chase under Jordan Gainford.

Twice a winner over hurdles, Gordon Elliott’s charge had finished a close second on his first two chase starts, including behind dual Grade 1-winning hurdler Dancing City. On Tuesday, Grade 1 performer High Class Hero chased him home, as Shannon Royale made virtually all of the running to score by two and a quarter lengths.

The son of Walk In The Park was bought by Mags O’Toole for £300,000 after a promising debut for Denis Murphy and now carries the colours of Robcour. The Vambeck Bloodstock-bred bay also has a bumper win to his name.