Impressive Bumper Winner Completes Walk In The Park Double

Walk In The Park provided Gordon Elliott with a double on Sunday’s card at Navan, led by an impressive performance by Firefox (5g Walk In The Park - Cuteasafox, by Vinne Roe) in the bumper.

The well-related bay finished a close second on his first start in a bumper in December, when the front fair drew clear of the field, and was sent off favourite at Navan off the back of that performance. Positioned in midfield by Jamie Codd, he improved to race prominently from four furlongs out and was pushed along approaching the two furlong pole. Leading before the final furlong, he soon drew clear and led by ten lengths on the line, with another eight lengths back to the third.

“He's good,” Elliott stated after the race. “He's not going to be a horse until next year really. Whatever he does this year is only going to be a bonus. We like him.”

Firefox is owned by Bective Stud, who also own his Grade 3-placed half-brother The Bosses Oscar. Their €145,000 store buy was bred by Grange Stud.

Elliott won the opening contest on the card, the two mile maiden hurdle, with the promising Firm Footings (5g Walk In The Park - Tempest Belle, by Glacial Storm).

Successful in a bumper earlier this season, the Caldwell Construction-owned bay placed on all of his previous starts over hurdles. He made most of the running on Sunday and was ridden when the favourite delivered a challenge at the second last. Briefly headed at the final flight, he dug deep to regain the advantage and led by a length on the line.

Speaking after the race, Elliott said, “Firm Footings is a nice horse and he probably wants further. He has a good attitude, travels and jumps.”

A €220,000 store buy, the half-brother to Monalee (Milan) was bred by Aidan Aherne and Cathal Ennis.