Grade 1 Next For Progressive Son Of Walk In The Park

Western Walk (6g Walk In The Park - Western Approaches, by Westerner) made it two from two for Jonathan Sweeney when running out an impressive winner of the valuable Grade B Novice Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The Ruth Brown and John Loughlin-owned bay won a maiden hurdle in good style on his stable bow last month and was reunited with Michael O’Sullivan on Saturday. Travelling strongly in midfield, he eased into second from three out and led at the next. Soon clear, he needed little encouragement to score by seven lengths, as Verdant Place and Seabank Bistro completed a 1-2-3 for Walk In The Park.

“He’s improving all the time and has done it very well,” Sweeney said after the race. “He’s entered in the Grade 1 Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival so we’ll have a chat with the owners and see.”

Sweeney also trains Western Walk’s half-brother Churchstonewarrior (Mahler), himself a Grade 2 winner and Grade 1 placed over fences. The pair were bred by Thistletown Stud.

Walk In The Park kicked off the card with a winner, as the well-supported Canal End (5g Walk In The Park - Aladiyna, by Indian Danehill) got off the mark in the maiden hurdle.

Racing over two and a half miles, Peter Fahey’s charge was ridden prominently by Mark Walsh and asserted from two out. Ridden clear, he stayed on well to win by four and a quarter lengths.

Owned by JP McManus, Canal End was bred by Mr and Mrs Gleeson.