Gold Cup winning trainer Tom Taaffe bridged a gap of eight months since his previous winner when his Peoples Park landed the Hire2k Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse today, for owner J.P. McManus and jockey Mark Walsh.

Prior to today, Taaffe, whose previous winner was Argocat in a Grade 2 hurdle at Gowran in February, has had just runners in just 13 races this season.

Following the win he stated “the lads are saying it’s only yielding but they're finishing tired. He (Peoples Park) certainly wouldn’t want it heavy.

“He’s a big, immature slow learner who is starting to cop on and it looked like the extra half-mile suited.

“He jumped well and travelled well and chasing will be his game long term."

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee