Son Of Walk In The Park Impresses In Grade 2 Hurdle

The highly-regarded Ginto (5g Walk In The Park - Tina Rederie, by Cadoudal) made it two from two over hurdles when running out an impressive winner of the Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle on Saturday.

Sent off favourite under Jamie Codd, Gordon Elliott’s charge chased the leaders and made headway to lead from the third last. Clear after the next, he kept on strongly to win by 11 lengths with ease.

Speaking after the race, Elliott commented, “Ginto is a big galloper and that shows us that he's the horse we thought he was. What I loved today was what he did from the second-last to the line. He just galloped. He's a good horse and he's a chaser in the making”

Ginto was purchased by owners Bective Stud for €470,000 following his 12 length debut win between the flags, and went on to impress in a bumper last season. Bred by S Berger, he kicked off a double on the card for Walk In The Park, with newcomer Itswhatunitesus (4g Walk In The Park - Ballyallia Pride, by Presenting) shaping like a smart prospect when winning the bumper.

Codd partnered the Elliott-trained favourite to race in midfield and was travelling with ease in second with three furlongs left to race. Leading and soon clear when pushed along a furlong from home, he kept on strongly to win by six lengths.

“That's great,” Elliott said after the race. “Itswhatunitesus is a lovely horse and we won't do much more with him this year. We'll give him a break and we'll probably bring him back for Fairyhouse and leave it there.”

Owned by Alymer Stud, Itswhatunitesus was bred by Mrs E Costellow and provides an important update for his yearling half-sister by Order Of St George catalogued in next week’s Goffs December NH Sale.