Jonbon Completes Graded Double For Walk In The Park

Jonbon (7g Walk In The Park - Star Face, by Saint Des Saints) completed a Graded double for Walk In The Park on Sunday when making an impressive return to action in the Grade 2 Schloer Chase at Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson’s multiple Grade 1 winner was sent off favourite for the two mile chase and raced in second for much of the way under Nico de Boinville. Asserting at the fourth last, he was shaken up to draw clear from two out and ran on well on the run-in to score by nine and a half lengths.

“You have to be very pleased,” Henderson said after the race. “He was just pricking his ears on the run-in. He has had a nice time and he has enjoyed himself. He should come on for it.”

The Tingle Creek Chase is next on the agenda for the JP McManus-owned bay, who is now a 12-time winner. Bred by Lotfi Kohli, the own-brother to Douvan (Walk In The Park) sold for £570,000 after his debut victory for Ellmarie Holden.

At Navan earlier that afternoon, exciting prospect Croke Park (5g Walk In The Park - Toledana, by Protektor) made it two from two over hurdles in the Grade 3 Monksfield Novice Hurdle.

Gordon Elliott’s recruit bolted up by 11 lengths last month and was sent off favourite as he stepped up to two and a half miles on Sunday. Racing in touch under Jack Kennedy, he was ridden to lead and the final flight and stayed on strongly to beat stablemate Mel Monroe (Walk In The Park) by three and a quarter lengths.

“He's a lovely horse,” Elliott said. “Jack said he probably wants three miles in time. He's a big horse and he's had two runs now, so I might even keep him for the Grade 1 in Naas in January.”

Croke Park is owned by Gigginstown House Stud, having been bought by his trainer for £400,000 following his maiden win for Denis Murphy at Dromahane. The €150,000 store sale graduate was bred by AV Bloodstock.