Walk In The Park Mare Lives Up To The Hype

The well-regarded Maughreen (5m Walk In The Park – Molly’s Mate, by Goldmark) lived up to expectations on debut when running out an impressive winner of the mares’ bumper at Punchestown on Monday.

The Willie Mullins-trained newcomer was sent off a short-priced favourite under Patrick Mullins and never caused supporters any cause for concern. Full of running with three furlongs left to race, she quickened to lead a furlong later and drew clear to win by an easy 11 lengths. Harrys Annie (Walk In The Park) finished best of the remainder.

“That was very impressive,” said the winning rider. “She was very professional, settled great and quickened up well. Her work had been good, but that is probably better than what she had been doing at home. The owners are entitled to get a bit excited, especially with that pedigree.”

Bookmakers subsequently shortened Maughreen to 8/1 for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Owned by Closutton Racing Club, she was bred by Minch Bloodstock out of a half-sister to Mullins’ former stable star Faugheen. The daughter of Walk In The Park is a full-sister to the useful Blow Your Wad (Walk In The Park).