Steel Park was well fancied for the New Ross Maiden Hurdle (7s in the morning into 9/2) and he didn't disappoint the Byrne family (the owners, breeders, trainer and rider) and their supporters by prevailing in the opener at Wexford.
Mikey Fogarty performed a miracle to stay on the favourite, Got Options at the fifth hurdle, but at the business end Steel Park was just a neck too strong for Worldly Wise with a nine length gap back to original market-leader, Sir Vincent
Successful trainer Sean Byrne said: "We knew he'd run well but he has been a bit disappointing. He jumped well though and the tongue-tie helped. I don't think that was a bad race either.
"He'll go for a handicap or a novice now."
Meanwhile the winning rider, also Sean, a son of the trainer, said: "That's my 12th winner on the track and I'm with Jessica Harrington. The ground is a bit on the dead side and maybe a bit soft in places."
