Unbeaten Hurdler Kicks Off Impressive Double For Walk In The Park

Gidleigh Park (5g Walk In The Park - Lindeman, by Presenting) extended his unbeaten record with another impressive performance in Wednesday’s Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.

Harry Fry’s charge drew clear in a bumper on debut last season and returned last month to win in similarly smart style on his hurdle bow. Stepping up to two and a half miles on Wednesday, he was sent off the even-money favourite under Jonathan Burke and raced in touch throughout. Easing into the lead before the second last, he was shaken up to draw clear on the run-in and led by nine lengths on the line.

“I'm delighted, it's another step up the ladder,” said Harry Fry. “There were some nice horses we were taking on and the form keeps working out well. He's a very exciting horse and I just hope he can keep progressing into the spring. We'll go to Cheltenham at the end of January for the Grade 2 novice hurdle on Trials day.”

Owned by the Eyre family, Gidleigh Park was bred by Mr and Mrs Kelvin-Hughes.

The final race on the card, a bumper for three-year-old fillies, produced an exciting prospect in the shape of Park Princess (3f Walk In The Park - Reine Angevine, by Poliglote).

The Anthony Honeyball-trained newcomer was sent off favourite under Jonathan Burke and raced prominently throughout. Pushed along to lead before the two furlong pole, she was ridden a furlong later and soon quickened clear. She kept on to win by ten lengths comfortably.

Owned by Peter Jones and Diana Goodall, Park Princess was bred by Padraig Higgins and Larry Murphy.