Son Of Walk In The Park Makes It Two From Two Over Hurdles

Chart Topper (6g Walk In The Park – Pink Hat, by Presenting) made it two from two over hurdles when justifying even-money favouritism in Thursday’s Novices’ Hurdle at Wetherby.

Twice placed in bumpers, Willie Mullins’ charge impressed on his hurdle debut in late August and the Jackie Mullins’ homebred was reunited with Patrick Mullins on Thursday. Racing prominently throughout, the bay was full of running turning for home and leapt into the lead at the final flight. Ridden clear, he was eased down close home to score by four and a quarter lengths.

“Chart Topper is a fantastic jumper, he's so measured,” said the winning rider. Once upon a time we thought he might be a Cheltenham horse. He got a setback and took a while to get the hang of it again but going jumping seems to have unlocked the potential we always thought he had.

“As a bumper horse we thought he'd be a 140-plus horse, his first hurdles performance could have been that and that looks like it could have been that. He could go to the spring festivals but we'll probably keep him going in the summer and he could be a Galway and Listowel horse.”