Sportinthepark makes bright start over hurdles

Sportinthepark made a successful start over hurdles when making virtually all in the BoyleSports Maiden Hurdle at Wexford.

The Noel Meade-trained gelding had shown promise in a point-to-point and a Galway bumper last month and was sent off a 10/1 chance in this 2m4f event.

Sam Ewing ’s mount had his rivals stretched from two out and was driven out on the run-in to beat Iceberg Theory who made a mistake at the last, by two and three-quarter lengths. Cobra Queen was a further four and three-quarter lengths away in third, while 6/5 favourite Intense Approach was eased after two out and well beaten when falling at the last.

Ewing said, "He ran in a good point-to-point and I think the horse that beat him (Practice Run) was entered today as well. He loved the ground and the step up to two-and-a-half helped him a lot.

"The hood was taken off of him today and we weren't going much of a gallop early so I let him go on in front. He jumped, has been very grown up and stayed at it well. I didn't really have to go for him today and for a four-year-old to do what he did on that type of ground, you'd be happy enough.

"He came from Matty Flynn O'Connor's and it looked like he jumped very well in his point-to-point and it stood to him today. Two-and-a-half miles suits him but I don't think further will be a problem."

Quotes by Donal Murphy