Walk In The Park’s Final Demand Blows Them Away At Punchestown

Final Demand (6g Walk In The Park – Zuzka, by Flemensfirth) couldn’t have been more impressive when striding clear in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

Willie Mullins’ charge made all on Friday under Paul Townend and began to pick up the pace from three out. His rivals were in trouble turning for home and he was pushed clear approaching the final flight, extending to lead by 16 lengths on the line. Colm Murphy’s promising maiden hurdle winner Lovely Hurling (Walk In The Park) ran with credit on his first step up in grade, with the McManus’ homebred finishing second, three and three quarter lengths ahead of Tripoli Flyer (Getaway) in third.

Speaking after the race, Willie Mullins said: “Paul [Townend] thought he didn't go fast enough at Cheltenham but we wanted to show Final Demand off today.

“For a big chaser to jump the way he did, he was getting lengths at hurdles when it mattered. I thought he was going to tire but he kept taking a length out of the horse behind him. If he can jump fences like that he's one to look forward to.”

Paul Townend, too, is looking forward to chasing, he said: “You'd love to ride him down to a fence. It's the old cliche about what they do over hurdles being a bonus but this lad definitely falls into that category.”

Friday’s impressive victory brought Final Demand’s record to three wins from four starts, his first coming between the flags, before bolting up in a maiden hurdle and later easing clear to Grade 1 glory at the Dublin Racing Festival.

He began his career with Matthew Flynn O’Connor, who paired up with Joey Logan to give €230,000 for the gelding at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale. Bred by Kenneth Parkhill, the son of Walk In The Park is now owned by Bryan Drew and Professor Caroline Tisdall.