Grange Walk and Liam Quinlan winning the Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Steepplechase Grade B © Photo Healy Racing
Grange Walk showed real determination to battle back well on the run in to take the featured Grade B Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase at Gowran Park.
The John Patrick Ryan trained gelding had been out of form in recent times, with jumping frailties blighting his career of late. However, despite the odd mistake creeping in, he jumped much better this afternoon and led the field on the run to the final fence. Minx Tiara who had suffered a less than clear passage in the latter stages, eventually saw daylight and led shortly after that obstacle but to his credit the eventual winner pulled out that bit extra to regain the lead close home.
“I thought he was the only horse in the field capable of winning a Grade 2 and the rest were handicappers. He's a bit more than a handicapper,” said Ryan.
“He's been a bit of an unlucky sort. Liam Quinlan gave him a tip top ride. He's a brave lad over a fence.
“He'll go to Aintree, the owner wants to go there. He'll go to a two-mile handicap, he's entitled to go there. He's a proper two mile chaser and the blinkers probably helped a bit.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
