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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Park Paddocks settles to his task in Cork

Sun 1st Apr 2018, 14:28

Park Paddocks in command at CorkPark Paddocks in command at Cork
© Photo Healy Racing

Park Paddocks was relatively friendless with punters but he couldn't have won the maiden hurdle in Cork more impressively.

The four-year-old son of Sea The Stars closed up on Galtymore before the third last and assumed the lead when that rival was untidy in jumping it.

Gordon Elliott 's charge sauntered clear after the penultimate hurdle and strolled in by 16 lengths with Keith Donoghue in the plate.

He was returned at 7/2 having been as short as 15/8 in the morning.

Galtymore kept on at the same pace in second at 11/2 with Torcello (8/1) a couple of lengths further back in third.

Punters got stuck into Waterville Dancer at all rates from 9/1 in the morning to an opening show of 9/4 right down to 11/10 favourite. However, he never landed a blow in 11th.

Assistant trainer Davy Condon said: "He had been very free and is only now learning to switch off. He settled lovely today and got a nice lead - he'll go on good ground so will keep going for the summer."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.