Smart Son Of Walk In The Park Delivers On Chase Debut

Grade 3 winning novice hurdler Croke Park (6g Walk In The Park – Toledana, by Protektor) made a perfect start over fences in Tuesday’s three-mile Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse.

Gordon Elliott’s charge was sent off favourite on his seasonal return, supporters influenced by his success between the flags for Denis Murphy, which saw him sell for £400,000. The Gigginstown-owned bay made all under Jack Kennedy and began to quicken from the second last. He kept on well when ridden from the last and went on to score by three parts of a length, with another six lengths back to the third.

“There is a lot of improvement in him,” Elliott said of the AV Bloodstock-bred winner. “It's a nice starting point. He could end up back here in the Drinmore, it wouldn't shock me.”