Mares Complete Black Type Double For Walk In The Park

Jetara (5m Walk In The Park – Jelan, by Milan) completed an impressive hat-trick of wins in the Grade 3 Mares Hurdle on the final day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

The Jessica Harrington-trained bay won a Listed bumper and placed in a Grade 3 last season, but has proven better than ever this term, bolting up in a maiden hurdle and subsequently drawing clear at Listed level. Partnered by Jack Kennedy on Friday, she travelled strongly throughout and eased into the lead at the final flight. Drawing clear on the run-in, she led by seven and a half lengths on the line, as Pink In The Park (Walk In The Park) claimed runners-up honours.

On future plans, the winning trainer later commented, “She will be probably come back here for the novice hurdle in the Dublin Racing Festival. Then we will probably wait for Fairyhouse, for the mares' Grade 1.”

Harrington has enjoyed great success with Jetara’s family for owner/breeder Gerard McGrath, having trained her dam’s full-brother Jezki (Milan) to win eight Grade 1’s.

Walk In The Park celebrated a black-type double later that afternoon when Limerick Lace (6m Walk In The Park – Sway, by Califet) drew clear in the Listed Mares’ Chase at Doncaster.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained mare was sent off favourite for the two and a half mile chase, having finished a fine second in the valuable Troytown Chase last time out. Travelling strongly under Jonjo O’Neill Junior, she improved into second on the home turn and easily asserted at the fourth last. Clear by the next, she kept on well on the run-in to score by ten lengths.

Limerick Lace has now won or placed on all but one of her starts over fences, with her wins including a Grade B chase last season. Owned by JP McManus and bred by Mrs Noreen McManus, she is a full-sister to Inothewayurthinkin (Walk In The Park), who placed in the Grade 1 Novice Chase the previous day.