DEREK O’Connor was in the saddle when Putapoundinthejar (Walk In The Park) appeared for the first time on the racecourse as a four-year-old in March 2024, contesting the Listed Kevin McManus Bookmaker Champion INH Flat Race at Limerick. He made a promising start when running second to Shuttle Diplomacy who had won on his only previous start, though the winner was more than seven lengths clear of the rest on the day.

Three starts later Putapoundinthejar won a maiden hurdle at Down Royal, a race which poignantly provided Michael O’Sullivan with his final victory in the saddle. Success in a handicap hurdle at the 2025 Punchestown Festival followed before Putapoundinthejar endured an eight-race lean spell, beaten anywhere between eight and a half lengths and 28 lengths and never nearer than fifth, before he won a 12-furlong Bellewstown apprentice handicap in April.