Good news on getting the hood open----now time to do a bit of PM to keep that cable release healthy........
Lube the latch itselt liberally using a spray lube like white lithium grease, working it into any metal-to-metal contact areas. Manipulating the latch itself helps get the lube into the smaller tighter places.
Make sure the cable protruding past the latch is lube'd too. With the hood opened pull it a few times making sure it moves freely. If it doesn't it might be time to plan on replacing it at some point.
If the lube job and proper stowing of the prop rod does the trick you're good to go.