Son Of Walk In The Park Draws Clear In Galway Chase

Sportinthepark (5g Walk In The Park – Miss Oscarteea, by Oscar) has earned a step up in class after running out an impressive winner of the Rated Novice Chase at Galway on Saturday.

Noel Meade’s charge had made a promising return to action last month, as he finished second to black-type performer Yeats Star (Yeats) on what was his second start over fences. Sent off second favourite on Saturday, the bay produced a fine round of jumping as he made all of the running under Sean Flanagan. Travelling strongly approaching the turn for home, he was eased close home to score by eight and a half lengths.

The winning trainer later said: “Since he came in this season he is a different horse and while I know fences have changed him, anything he is doing he is doing well. He'll need a few weeks now but we'll give him an entry in a graded race and he will go on soft ground.”

Sportinthepark was bought by Meade and Peter Nolan for €170,000 following his debut second in a four-year-old maiden for Matthew Flynn O’Connor, and now carries the colours of PL Polly. The Walk In The Park gelding was bred by Cathal Ennis.