Talented Son Of Walk In The Park Scores Over Fences

Nick Rockett (7g Walk In The Park – Eireann Rose, by Flemensfirth) produced a fine round of jumping to win the Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day.

The Willie Mullins-trained bay completed a hat-trick last season in a Grade 2 novice hurdle and finished a promising fourth on his chase debut a month ago, with the winner having subsequently placed at Grade 1 level. The son of Walk In The Park was sent off favourite on Monday and raced prominently throughout under Paul Townend. Leading before the final fence, he stayed on well to win by seven lengths.

“He was good,” assistant trainer David Casey said after the race. “He improved a little bit from his first run and jumped very well. The first day was a competitive race and the form has been franked since.”

Owned by Stewart and Sadie Andrew, Nick Rockett was purchased privately following his debut win in a four-year-old maiden for Pat Doyle. He was bred by Mr KD Cotter out of a full-sister to multiple black-type winner Emily Gray (Flemensfirth).