Exciting Son Of Walk In The Park Stakes Ballymore Claims

Walking On Air (5g Walk In The Park - Refinement, by Oscar) emerged as an exciting prospect on Wednesday, when bolting up in the Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.

A promising debut second in a bumper in March, Nicky Henderson’s charge was sent off a short priced favourite on return in the two mile contest and was ridden to track the leader by Nico de Boinville. Asserting with ease from the third last, he was shaken up to go clear a flight later and needed little encouragement to draw 13 lengths clear on the line.

Henderson’s post-race comments added to the impressive nature of the win, saying, “He's going to be spectacular. He'll jump a fence and might be very exciting in a year or two.” Bookmakers subsequently shortened the winner to 12/1 for the Ballymore Novices Hurdle.

Mrs Doreen Tabor’s homebred bay continues a fine season for Walk In The Park, with the Grange Stud sire also responsible for Henderson’s Grade 2 winner Jonbon (Walk In The Park), who is favourite to extend his unbeaten record on Saturday.