Promising Pair Complete Double For Walk In The Park

Leader In The Park (6g Walk In The Park – Supreme Breda, by Supreme Leader) completed the first leg of a smart double for Walk In The Park at Doncaster when justifying favouritism in the opening maiden hurdle.

The bay emerged as an exciting prospect when bolting up on debut for Sean Doyle, and after selling for £250,000, finished second in a Class 2 at Ascot on his first start for Ben Pauling. Dropping down to two miles and three furlongs on Wednesday, he made all of the running under Ben Jones and was ridden approaching the final flight. He kept on well to score by four lengths and three quarters, while fellow point-to-point winner Grand Albert finished 18 lengths clear of the third.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “I was quietly confident he would show that today. He's done it very well on testing ground. He's now qualified for the EBF Final at Sandown, but whatever happens he'll make a lovely chaser next year.” The promising six-year-old is owned by Lady Dulverton and was bred by Ms Maria Kavanagh.

Jones and Pauling continued their terrific run of form in the finale, as Monty Bodkin (5g Walk In The Park – La Segnora, by Turgeon) got off the mark in the bumper.

The €105,000 store sale buy finished second on debut in November, and with the winner since gaining black-type, was sent off favourite on Wednesday afternoon. Racing prominently throughout, he led from two furlongs out and was ridden approaching the final furlong. The bay kept on well to beat previous bumper winner Tom Doniphon by a length and three quarters, with another 14 lengths back to the third.

Monty Bodkin is owned by the Megsons and was bred by Mrs Dale Adams.