Walsingham

Walsingham ran well for a long way in the three-year-olds’ 10-furlong maiden at Leopardstown on Wednesday. Smartly away and quickly into a nice racing rhythm just behind the leaders, he travelled well to the three-furlong marker and, taken towards the outside by Chris Hayes, he shaped as though he was going to be a big player as they straightened up for home. He made progress in the slipstream of the ultimate winner The Prairie to the two-furlong marker, but he just couldn’t sustain his run through the final furlong, and he faded to finish fourth, caught for third place by New Variant inside the final 100 yards.

It was still a good run by Dermot Weld’s horse on his first run since he finished fourth in a maiden on heavy ground at Naas last November. He had New Variant well behind him in ninth place that day, with the Ballysax winner White Birch just behind him in fifth place. He is a full-brother to fellow Newtown Anner Stud horse Duke De Sessa, a Group 3 winner over nine and 12 furlongs, and he should get 10 furlongs at least this season. He should come on for this run, his seasonal debut. He is still a maiden, but he will be of interest wherever he goes next.
Leopardstown, 5^th April 2023