Walk In The Park Mare A Class Apart At Punchestown

Eabha Grace (6m Walk In The Park - Myska, by Presenting) could hardly have been more impressive when running out a wide margin winner of the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown on Monday.

A winner and Listed-placed in bumpers, the Willie Mullins-trained mare finished third against geldings on her hurdle debut, before chasing home an exciting prospect last month. Stepping up in trip to two and a half miles on Monday, she was sent off favourite under Paul Townend and led from flag fall. Travelling well with three to jump, she drew clear from the second last and needed little encouragement to win by 30 lengths.

“She came alive coming around the bend for me,” Townend later reported. “She is a fine, big mare and she was unlucky to run into one the last day. I'd say we ran into a smart one in that race and back up in trip today was always going to suit. She is a great jumper and will jump a fence if she needs to.”

Bred by Kenneth Parkhill, the daughter of Walk In The Park races in the colours of the John Battersby Racing Syndicate. She is the first foal out of Myska, who has a Walk In The Park four-year-old, Milan three-year-old and Getaway two-year-old to follow.