Son Of Ocovango Impresses On Rules Debut

Well-bred point-to-point winner Gaelic Park (6g Ocovango - The Last Bank, by Phardante) made a smart start under rules in Saturday’s bumper at Warwick.

The half-brother to Chantry House made a winning debut in a five-year-old maiden for Patrick Turley in November and subsequently switched to the stable of Charlie Longsdon. Jonathan Burke took the ride on Saturday and positioned his mount prominently throughout the two mile contest. Gaining a clear advantage from over two furlongs out, he ran on strongly to score by two lengths on the line.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “It's the wrong time of year to go hurdling so we thought we'd run Gaelic Park a bumper even though it's not his game. He's an out and out galloper and we like him. He loves his jumping and will be a nice novice hurdler for next season.”

The son of Ocovango was bred by Michael Conaghan, who had reason to celebrate last month when dual Grade 1 winner Chantry House (Yeats) returned to winning ways in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.