Strong Start To Point-To-Point Season For Walk In The Park
An impressive debut performance by Down Memory Lane (4g Walk In The Park - Credo Star, by Presenting) led a successful weekend for Grange Stud sire Walk In The Park.
The Jonathan Fogarty-trained newcomer was ridden by Derek O’Connor in the four-year-old geldings maiden at Umma House, where he was asked to quicken from three out. The bay soon showed his rivals a clean pair of heels as he drew nine and a half lengths clear on the line.
Down Memory Lane may now return to the sales ring, where he fetched €75,000 as a store from Redpender Stud. A half-brother to four-time winner Fringill Dike, the son of Walk In The Park was bred by Cathal Ennis.
Saturday’s fixture at Loughanmore produced another smart prospect in Mister Park (5g Walk In The Park - Anniesthyne, by Good Thyne), who made all to win the five-year-old geldings maiden for Ian Power.
Thomas Hayes’ homebred travelled well throughout under James Hannon, who guided the bay to a four and a half length success, as more experienced horses took second and third.
Ilovethenightlife (4f Walk In The Park - Belle De Londres, by King’s Theatre) kicked off a double for her sire at Ffos Las on Sunday when running out a commanding winner of the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
A close fourth in a bumper on debut last season, the Joe Tizzard-trained bay raced towards the back of the field on her seasonal return and was pushed along to make headway after the third last. Producing a challenge at the penultimate flight, she led approaching the next and ran on strongly to win by seven and a half lengths.
Sold by breeder Goldford Stud as a store for £80,000, Ilovethenightlife is owned by Geoff Nicholas with Susan and John Waterworth.
Tizzard and the Waterworths enjoyed a double on the card when The Changing Man (5g Walk In The Park - Bitofapuzzle, by Tamure) made a winning return to action over two and a half miles.
Successful on his final start last season, he won by a comfortable four and a quarter lengths on Sunday, with Brendan Powell Junior doing the steering. Sourced by Doyle and Tizzard for £135,000, the son of Walk In The Park was bred by O’Sullivan Bloodstock.