Marlpark dominates for Ryan and Fitzgerald Marlpark made all in the opening Crottys Lake Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel and had too much in the tank for odds-on-favourite Elusive Prince. Shane Fitzgerald sent Marlpark about his business from flagfall and the pair enjoyed a healthy advantage throughout this extended two-mile trip. Elusive Prince and Darragh O'Keeffe closed right up on them two out, however, Marlpark found more racing to the final flight. He wasn't for passing and sailed in by three lengths at 11/4 having been punted down from 13/2. The runner-up was returned the 4/6 favourite. John Ryan said: "He has been disappointing up until now as we thought the world of him from the get-go. "I bought him from Will Delaney as he is a half-brother to both Kilcarry Bridge and Kilashee (stablemates) and is out of a half-sister to Hear The Echo. "He is a proper little horse and there's no reason he won't go forward now. Shane gave him a peach of a ride and really switched him off in front." He added "He was running a huge race when falling at Fairyhouse - I'm not a huge fan of those new hurdles and I think he would have finished third then. "What level this horse is at I'm not sure, but he'll probably go for a rated novice next." Marlpark got off the mark at the eighth time of asking. The jockeys wore black armbands in memory of a brother of ex-rider and current jockeys' valet Tom Reilly, who passed away yesterday. Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
