Blacktype Geldings Complete Double For Walk In The Park

Blacktype performer Putapoundinthejar (5g Walk In The Park – Blue Eyed Lucy, by Strategic Prince) landed Wednesday’s maiden hurdle at Down Royal, completing the first leg of a double for his sire.

Runner-up in a listed bumper on his racecourse debut in March, the Tony Martin-trained bay made a pleasing return to action last month and was partnered by Michael O’Sullivan on Wednesday. Racing in touch with the leaders, he took second approaching the final flight and ran on well when ridden on the run-in. He kept on to beat the favourite by a neck, the pair finishing 10 lengths clear of the third.

“It has just taken a while for everything to fall into place,” said the winning trainer. “Putapoundinthejar is still relatively young and immature. We always thought he was a nice young horse and we still do.”

Owned by Ray Grehan, Putapoundinthejar was bred by White Friar Stud out of a half-sister to connections’ Irish Cesarewitch winner Magellan Strait (Australia) and Royal Ascot heroine Lagostovegas.

Talented hurdler Conyers Hill (7g Walk In The Park – Moonlit Bay, by Midnight Legend) got off the mark over fences in the Rated Novice Chase later on the card.

Paul Nolan’s multiple listed-placed hurdler was given a hold-up ride by Sean O’Keeffe and began to make headway from what would usually be the third last. Disputing from the second last, he was ridden to assert close home and led by a neck on the line.

Nolan later mentioned the novice handicap chase at Cheltenham as a possible target for Conyers Hill, who is owned by the Buzzer Racing Syndicate and was bred by Padraic Donhoe.