Exciting Recruit Kicks Off Treble For Walk In The Park

Mossy Fen Park (4g Walk In The Park – Msmilan, by Milan) kicked off a successful St Stephen’s Day for Walk In The Park when justifying favouritism in the opening maiden hurdle at Down Royal.

An impressive point-to-point win for Sean Doyle saw the four-year-old sell to Gerry Hogan £200,000 in March and he returned to finish second on rules debut last month. Racing over two and a half miles on Tuesday, Henry de Bromhead’s charge raced prominently throughout and asserted after three out. Ridden out on the run-in, he kept on well to win by three parts of a length.

Winning rider Darragh O’Keeffe later described his mount as “a smashing big horse,” before continuing, “He'll be some chaser- he's crying out for a fence. It was a messy old race and he had to overcome plenty, but he did that. I'm delighted that he got the job done today.”

Mossy Fen Park is owned by Steve Parkin’s Clipper Logistics Group and was bred by Michael O’Neill.

Over at Market Rasen, the Dan Skelton-trained Asta La Pasta (5g Walk In The Park – Asian Maze, by Anshan) drew clear to win the Novices’ Hurdle by an easy 12 lengths.

He was sent off favourite for the two mile contest, having finished third on his previous two starts and won a maiden hurdle on his hurdle debut. Bred by Ms Helga Moore, he also impressed in a bumper last season.

Meanwhile, at Wetherby, point-to-point winner Lady In The Park (5m Walk In The Park – Emily’s Flyer, by Oscar) got off the mark under rules in the mares’ novices’ hurdle over two and a half miles.

Successful at Lingstown for Tom Dreaper, the daughter of Walk In The Park subsequently sold to Lucinda Russell and finished a close third on rules debut at Aintree. Third once again on her hurdle bow, she appeared to appreciate the step up in trip on Tuesday, as she led close home to beat dual winner Dontyawantme (Getaway) by half a length.

Now owned by Mrs Jennifer Sword, Lady In The Park was bred by John and Mary Hayes.