Slattery introduces smart debutant winner in Roscommon bumper

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.