Union Park reverted to hurdling to exploit a very favourable mark at that discipline. © Photo Healy Racing
Sean Flanagan rode an excellent waiting race when producing bottom weight Union Park from off the pace to land the Cork Welcomes Racing TV Members Handicap Hurdle at the Mallow track.
A winner of three chases in the last 12 months, the Philip Rothwell trained gelding was returning to hurdles this afternoon off a 21lb lower mark.
Held up in the early stages by Flanagan, the seven-year-old moved closer entering the straight as market principals Tomjackwilliam Postive Thinker and Big Debates fought it out.
Switched to the outer to deliver his challenge, Union Park stayed on best from two out, leading after the last, before keeping on well to score by half-a-length.
Trainer Philip Rothwell said: "There wasn't a suitable chase for him until Christmas but it was always the plan to go back over hurdles.
"He has won five races and Oliver and Marie are fantastic owners who leave me do my own thing - if there is a mistake made, it is due to me.
"The horse has built on promise and we let him improve away over fences. That has given him confidence and we are using his hurdle mark at the right time.
"We might even look at going across the water with him at some stage as I think English racing - where they go a gallop in front, will suit him.
"One or two of my horses had underperformed in the last fortnight and it is hard to regain confidence all the time but he had been working very well during the week. It is two weeks since we had a winner - it feels like two months, but we were hoping for a big big run."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
