Como Park and Rachael Blackmore right win the Cork racecourse Handicap Hurdle from Tomjackwilliam left © Photo Healy Racing
For the second race in succession, racegoers at Cork were treated to a thrilling finish as the well backed Como Park just did enough to land the concluding Buy Tickets At www.corkracecourse.ie Handicap Hurdle.
Formerly a smart handicapper on the flat for Joseph O'Brien, the gelded son of Camelot has made a promising start to life over hurdles. After running well in maidens over the minimum trip, he showed further improvement last time when stepped up in distance on handicap debut.
Always prominent under Rachael Blackmore this afternoon, Como Park led entering the straight but faced a strong challenge from Tomjackwilliam The pair had the race between them from two out as they settled down for a real battle.
At the line, only a head separated the pair, with a further 16 lengths back to the third.
Trainer Henry De Bromhead said: "He toughed it out in fairness to him and I'm delighted for the guys, Gav, Tony and Jimmy who are a but a few who are involved. He jumped way better today.
"We felt he was more suitable to nicer ground but I'm delighted with how he ran."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.