Impressive Winner Leads Fine Day For Walk In The Park

Walk With Paul (7m Walk In The Park - Polyfirst, by Poliglote) completed the first leg of a double for Walk In The Park on Tuesday when running out an impressive winner of the Mares Maiden Hurdle at Limerick.

Martin Brassil’s representative made a promising debut over course and distance in November, when finishing a close second to a more experienced rival. Sent off favourite on Tuesday, she was ridden to make all by Conor Brassil and travelled strongly throughout the two mile contest. Clear with three flights left to jump, she won by 12 lengths with ease.

“She is a fine strong mare,” the winning trainer later commented. “We'll look for a novice now and if it has black-type, well and good. She is one to look forward to.”

Owned by Mrs Gaffney and Mrs Barbara Murphy, Walk With Paul was bred by EARL De La Gisloterie.

At Ffos Las later that afternoon, the promising Helnwein (5g Walk In The Park - Synthe Davis, by Saint Des Saints) led home a 1-2 for Grange Stud sires in the bumper.

The son of Walk In The Park finished third in a smart Dromahane maiden on his sole start for Colin Bowe, with the winner Croke Park (Walk In The Park) subsequently selling for £400,000. Fifth on rules debut last month, Alan King’s charge was partnered by Tom Cannon on Tuesday and raced in midfield for much of the race. Making smooth headway from three furlongs out, he produced a strong challenge approaching the final furlong and led soon after. Running on well, he won by three and a half lengths from debut winner Alcedo (Vadamos), who finished 11 lengths clear of the field.

Owned by the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate, Helnwein was bred by Kieran Cotter and is a full-brother to dual winner Uncle Phil (Walk In The Park).

Tuesday saw the Irish sales season get underway at Tattersalls Ireland, where Walk In The Park was responsible for the top lot of the February NH Sale.

Richard Frisby went to €49,000 for the prized weanling in question, a bay colt offered by Walshtown Stables on behalf of breeder Liam Flavin. “I bought 15 by Walk In The Park during the autumn,” the buyer later revealed. “This colt is very typical of his stock. He is a very good walker and will be back for resale.”