Son Of Walk In The Park Impresses On Hurdle Bow

Gidleigh Park (5g Walk In The Park - Lindeman, by Flemensfirth) confirmed himself an exciting prospect when making an impressive hurdle debut at Exeter on Monday.

Harry Fry’s charge drew clear in a bumper on debut last season and was sent off a short-priced favourite on his seasonal return in the Novices’ Hurdle. Racing in touch under Jonathan Burke, he improved to lead at the second last and began to draw clear on the run-in. He was pushed out to win by seven and a half lengths, with another 20 lengths back to the third.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “It was a good round of jumping and Gidleigh Park has put his head in front, so the dream lives on. It's taken Johnny an age after the line to pull him up which is really encouraging.”

Looking to the future, Fry continued, “He's still a very raw horse. He's a big, tall, rangy individual and he'll have learnt a bit more. It's about experience, we want to go again in a novice under a penalty. Whether that's at Cheltenham's December meeting, we'll see.”

Gidleigh Park is owned by the Eyre family and was bred by Mr and Mrs Kelvin-Hughes.