The Willie Mullins-trained Pink In The Park knuckled down gamely to make a winning start over fences in the opener at Galway this afternoon.

The Walk In The Park mare, placed in Grade 3 company over hurdles, went to post a 9/2 shot on her first foray over the larger obstacles.

Paul Townend held his mount up in the two-mile-six contest before coming to press the leaders over the final two fences.

She hit the front after the last and answered Townend when asked for an effort in the straight, recording a length-and-a-quarter win over Dartan

"It was a nice performance, she was a little sticky going to the first but she improved as she went through,” said Mullins.

“She got two good jumps over the last two fences and I was very pleased with how she stayed on. She idled a little in front rounding the final bend and when the rest of them came to her, she picked up again.

""It was tough with the fallers and loose horses but Paul produced her nicely and she wants a trip at this stage of her career.

"The reason we bought her dam was to breed from her and she is producing nice foals and hopefully this mare can now get some black-type over fences now."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)