Impressive Double For Walk In The Park At Down Royal

Limerick Lace (6m Walk In The Park - Sway, by Califet) completed the first leg of an impressive double for Walk In The Park when taking the Rated Novice Chase at Down Royal on Tuesday.

Previously successful in a bumper and over hurdles, Gavin Cromwell’s charge finished second in another Rated Chase during the Christmas period and was sent off favourite to build on that promise on Tuesday. Luke Dempsey rode the bay prominently and joined the leader at the second last, before asking her to quicken. Clear at the final fence, she stayed on well to score by eight lengths in comfortable fashion.

Cromwell later mentioned that black-type may be next on the agenda for Limerick Lace, who was bred by Mrs Noreen McManus and runs in the colours of JP McManus.

No Time To Wait (5g Walk In The Park - Stephanie Frances, by King’s Theatre) also shaped like a future black-type performer when running out a clear winner of the bumper on the card.

The Gordon Elliott-trained bay shaped with promise at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, when finishing third in a bumper, and was sent off second favourite on Tuesday. Ridden to make all by Jamie Codd, the son of Walk In The Park travelled strongly throughout and was travelling with ease three furlongs from home. Pushed clear a furlong later, he was eased down close home to win by 15 lengths.

“He's a big galloping horse,” the winning trainer later said. He won't jump a hurdle this year. He jumps well at home but is a horse for next year.”

Owned by Caldwell Construction Ltd, No Time To Wait sold for €150,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale. He is the first foal bred by MH Sport Horses out of Stephanie Frances, whose Crystal Ocean colt foal fetched €40,000 in November.