Walk In The Park Mare Backs Up Form At Punchestown

Bioluminescence (6m Walk In The Park – Molly Round, by Old Vic) built on a promising hurdle debut to justify favouritism in the mares’ maiden hurdle at Punchestown on Monday.

The daughter of Walk In The Park bolted up in a four-year-old mares’ maiden at Boulta last season and went on to finish second in a bumper won by a subsequent Grade 3 winner on her rules debut. Her hurdle bow boasted similarly strong form, with the winner placing at Graded level next time out.

Stepping up to two and a half miles on Monday, Bioluminescence raced prominently under Mark Walsh and led on the turn for home. Shaken up approaching the final flight, she stayed on well to win by three and a quarter lengths, with another 11 lengths back to the third.

Winning trainer Gavin Cromwell later commented that Bioluminescence will be seen to best effect over fences and up in trip. The progressive mare is owned by JP McManus and was bred by Mr ARMM Kavanagh.

Earlier that afternoon at Huntingdon, Westerninthepark (6g Walk In The Park – Western Skylark, by Westerner) landed the maiden hurdle on his first start for the Anthony Charlton stable.

The bay sold for £100,000 following his debut second for Sean Doyle and went on to win a bumper in good style last season. Third on his seasonal return, he was sent off favourite as he stepped up to two and a half miles and raced in touch under Bradley Harris. Delivered to lead at the final flight, he was ridden out on the run-in and kept on to win by a length.

The son of Walk In The Park was bred by Ms C Corrigan and Tom Conway.