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John O'Riordan

John O'Riordan

Slattery introduces smart debutant winner in Roscommon bumper

Mon 25th Sep 2023, 18:03

Fleur In The Park looked a smart prospect when making a winning debut at Roscommon. Fleur In The Park looked a smart prospect when making a winning debut at Roscommon.
© Photo Healy Racing

Andrew Slattery introduced a smart debutant in the shape of Fleur In The Park who ran out a convincing winner of the Roscommon On-Course Vets Flat Race at the western track.

Carrying the colours of Margaret O'Rourke, who also owns Saturdays impressive Listowel winner Smooth Tom, the Walk In The Park gelding looks another promising individual for his owner.

Held up in rear in the early stages by Adam Ryan, the four-year-old made stylish ground entering the straight, being produced to challenge over a furlong out.

Although it was well inside the last before he got to leader Prove Yourself Slattery's gelding stayed on well to lead close home.

“He's very nice. He's only about 80 percent fit, he was ready for a schooling bumper and we said we'd run him here today on a bit of nicer ground rather than run him around in a schooling bumper,” said Slattery.

“We think a good bit of him and think he could be a Leopardstown type of horse.

“There is a lot to come from that. He said he blew up turning in, we knew he'd do that but I just thought he had enough class to get him through today. We think he is a good horse and good horses will win anyway.

“Hopefully he keeps improving. He's a fine big stamp of a horse with a good pedigree. He's a nice horse going forward.

“It's great for Padraig and Margaret O'Rourke. They had a winner on Saturday as well.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.

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.