Impressive Life In The Park looks an exciting recruit to chasing

Wednesday: Listowel

Whether Life In The Park can come close to emulating the achievements of his owner Barry Maloney's Gold Cup winner Minella Indo remains to be seen, but he made a good start to his chasing career by landing the 2m6f beginners' event for Henry de Bromhead here.

The five-year-old son of Walk In The Park had rounded off last season by beating Rock Road in a very competitive handicap hurdle at the Punchestown festival, and chances are he could be even better over fences.

He did jump slightly to his right through the race, but was in command turning in and showed his rivals a clean pair of heels in scoring by four and a half lengths from Perfect Attitude.

The gelding's rider Rachael Blackmore said: "He jumped a little bit right, that can be improved on, but it was a great performance. He quickened up the straight well. He was bought with a chasing career in mind."

The round of applause the winner received, for obvious reasons, was a very warm one indeed.

Two more for Elliott and Russell

After combining for a double here on Sunday, Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell were at it again on Kerry National day with two more winners.

The 2m novice hurdle looked a tight and competitive event, but the Elliott-trained Amir Kabir showed himself to be an improving type as he convincingly turned tables with Flaming Moon, who had beaten him half a length at the Galway festival in July.

Russell looked in control early in the straight until his mount pitched on landing jumping the second-last and the former champion jockey was almost sent out over the horse's head. He staged a good recovery, though, and the door was firmly shut on runner-up Flaming Moon after a good jump at the last.

"We fancied him, I thought he would have won at Galway if he had jumped," said Elliott, adding: "We did a good bit of work on his jumping since and I would say if he jumped the second-last cleanly he wouldn't have come off the bridle.

"He could mix it on the Flat next year. He'll stay on the go and will be okay on ground with an ease."

Motown calls tune

Elliott and Russell went on to complete their double in the mares' novice chase, which lacked any strength in depth as their charge Motown Maggie took full advantage of favourite Darrens Hope's lacklustre display, with the eight-year-old finishing only fourth.

Motown Maggie and Davy Russell on their way to victory in the 2m4f mares' novice chaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Motown Maggie took control inside the final half-mile and, helped by a very competent display of jumping, proved four and a quarter lengths too good for the front-running Optional Mix.

A trip to Cheltenham next month may well be on the cards for this mare, and Elliott said: "She jumped great. We were going to go to Roscommon on Monday, but the owners wanted a runner at Listowel so it worked out well.

"There is every chance she will go to Cheltenham next month and she could step up in trip."

Results, replays and analysis

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