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John O'Riordan

John O'Riordan

The Wallpark brings up Elliott double on stable debut

Fri 19th May 2023, 20:55

The Wallpark and Harry Swan win the Frank & Brian Fitzsimmons Memorial Flat Race The Wallpark and Harry Swan win the Frank & Brian Fitzsimmons Memorial Flat Race
© Photo Healy Racing

The Wallpark made a winning debut for trainer Gordon Elliott when staying on strongly to take the concluding Frank & Brian Fitzsimmons Memorial Flat Race at Downpatrick.

Formerly in the care of Val Ward, the five-year-old gelding had some decent form in the book, including a second in a maiden hurdle at Down Royal.

Sent off at 1-2f to make a winning debut for Elliott, the Francis Mangan owned gelding looked to have a fight on his hands when Kalanisi Flash led travelling well out of the dip.

However, Harry Swan found that he had a willing partner for the tough uphill finish and the pair eventually got on top of the John McConnell trained runner-up half-way up the run-in before striding clear.

Harry Swan said: "He looks a real stayer. I'd say he didn't handle the track as well as we thought.

"I think he will improve again off that. He was off the bridle a long way out, but I think he is still a bit green.

"I was a little bit (worried), but I was kind of secretly confident, I knew he still had loads left even though I was off it.

"It is brilliant to get a winner here for Gordon."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.