Back-To-Back Grade 3 Wins For Son Of Walk In The Park

Nick Rockett (8g Walk In The Park – Eireann Rose, by Flemensfirth) followed up last month’s Thyestes Chase victory with another Grade 3 win in Saturday’s Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.

Willie Mullins’ charge was sent off favourite under Paul Townend and raced close to the front throughout, improving to lead from two out. Digging deep when challenged approaching the final fence, the bay stayed on well to beat Irish Grand National victor Intense Raffles by three parts of a length.

The winning trainer later commented: “I thought it was a nice performance, beating an Irish National winner in the process, and it was a nice trial for Aintree. I'm very pleased with Nick Rockett. It was tough coming back from the Thyestes only four-and-a-bit weeks before this, and this should leave him spot on for Aintree.

“I was very impressed with how slick he jumped - his jumping was excellent. We aimed him for the Irish National last year but it didn't work. He's a horse I think has the potential to run well around Aintree. Bobbyjo winners have been lucky around there.

Owned by Stewart and Sadie Andrew, Nick Rockett has now won seven of his 13 career starts. The Kieran Cotter-bred gelding got off the mark in a four-year-old maiden on his sole start for Pat Doyle.