Talented Son Of Walk In The Park Wins With Ease

A return to Grade 1 company is being considered for Regent’s Stroll (6g Walk In The Park – Pretty Puttens, by Snurge) after he returned to winning ways at Wincanton on Thursday afternoon.

Paul Nicholls’ charge was sent off a short-priced favourite for the novices’ hurdle over two and a half miles, and made all of the running under Harry Cobden. Full of running turning for home, his rider remained motionless passing the line, as The Sainted Canary did his best to narrow the gap. The winning margin was two lengths, the front pair finishing 22 lengths clear of the remainder.

Nicholls later compared Regent’s Stroll to Clan Des Obeaux, and shared his hopes to run him in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. Nicholls has always held the son of Walk In The Park in high regard, having given £660,000 to keep the bay in the yard, following two impressive bumper wins.

He scooted clear on his first start for new owners Sir Alex Ferguson, Ged Mason, the late John Hales, Paul Hogarth and Neil Smith, before finishing third in the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle. Bred by Mrs Rita Kent, Regent’s Stroll had previously cost £175,000 at the store sales.