Connections Enjoy Special Success With Walk In The Park Gelding

Nick Rockett (8g Walk In The Park – Eireann Rose, by Flemensfirth) provided connections with a poignant win in Thursday’s Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park.

A Grade 2 winner over hurdles and twice Graded-placed over fences, Willie Mullins’ charge was sent off joint-favourite for Thursday’s feature. The bay raced prominently under Paul Townend and produced a challenge on the stands-side after turning for home. Staying on well under Townend’s urgings, he led by two and quarter lengths on the line, the front pair finished 13 lengths clear of the remainder.

Nick Rockett is owned by Stewart Andrew with his late wife Sadie, who was local to the County Kilkenny track. Andrew explained: “ Fortunately, Willie managed to get a run into Nick Rockett five days before she passed away so she got to see him run in his first bumper.

“Today was the plan and to win it for Sadie means so much, it's unbelievable. This is what she always wanted on her home ground. A proper local lass, she lived in Ballyellen, then Graiguenamanagh and then moved over to the UK where I was lucky enough to fall in love with her.”

The winning trainer added: “There will be a lot of celebrations locally tonight as Sadie's family are from all around here so it's a dream come true. We'll probably look forward to a National and we'll have a look at the Bobbyjo. That might be too soon but we'll see how he comes out of this.”

Nick Rockett was purchased privately by connections after winning a four-year-old maiden on his sole start for Pat Doyle. The son of Walk In The Park was bred by Kieran Cotter out of an own-sister to multiple black-type winner Emily Gray (Flemensfirth).