Life In The Park

Life In The Park put up a fine performance to finish third behind Thedevilscoachman in the Grade 3 Hugh McMahon Memorial Chase at Limerick on Sunday.

This was more like it from Henry de Bromhead’s horse. The last time we saw him, he finished a disappointing third of three behind Chemical Energy in a novices’ chase at Cheltenham’s October meeting. He travelled well here for Rachael Blackmore, back in the small field and along the inside, and his jumping was good. The leaders got away from him a bit when they quickened from the top of the home straight, but he stayed on well from the second last fence to take third place, less than three lengths behind the winner.

It was a fine run by the Walk In The Park gelding on his first run since October, and on ground that was probably softer than ideal for him. He should do better with this run under his belt, and was we move onto better ground in the spring. He will be fresher than most too if he runs at the spring festivals, and he will be of particular interest if he goes to Punchestown, where he won the Adare Manor Final last year. He is only six and this was just his third run over fences. A half-brother to Lifetime Ambition, there could be a fair bit more to come.
Limerick, 26^th March 2023