Smart Novice Hurdlers Emerge For Walk In The Park

Two smart prospects by Walk In The Park made winning seasonal returns on Sunday, beginning with Fleur In The Park (5g Walk In The Park – Fleur D’Ainay, by Poliglote) in the two mile maiden hurdle at Wexford.

The winner of a bumper and Listed-placed last season, Andy Slattery’s charge was sent off favourite on his first start since April, and made most of the running under Cian Quirke. Travelling well with two to jump, he was shaken up on the run-in and ran on to score by a length and a half, with the front pair finishing 11 lengths clear of the remainder.

Speaking after the race, Slattery said: “He wants two and a half to three miles and I thought he'd win over two if he is as good as I think he is. He is going for the Monksfield at Navan in three weeks’ time, so we had to get a run into him and that will bring out loads of improvement. He might end up in the Albert Bartlett.”

Owned by Mrs Margaret O’Rourke, the exciting five-year-old was bred by Kevin and Noel Heaney.

Later that afternoon at Galway, the Gordon Elliott-trained Patter Merchant (5g Walk In The Park – Bowenscourt, by Westerner) ran out a stylish winner of the maiden hurdle over two miles and five furlongs.

The Brittas House Stud and Grenane House Stud-bred bay won both his starts as a four-year-old, in a Dromahane maiden and Leopardstown bumper, and was sent off second favourite to make a winning hurdle debut under Sam Ewing. Leading narrowly from four out, the Gigginstown-owned gelding was pushed clear from the second last and ran on well to beat the favourite I Am Lorenzo (Milan) by four and a half lengths, the pair finishing clear of the third.

“I travelled very well everywhere,” Ewing reported. “He jumped very well, so is exciting. He is a nice one and we're looking forward to him.”