Magic Tricks impresses in Navan

Magic Tricks made a smooth transition to flights in the Kells Maiden Hurdle that got Navan's card under way.

Gordon Elliott 's charge had finished runner-up in a point-to-point and fourth in a bumper before today's assignment.

He travelled kindly for Mark Walsh and the pair improved to challenge odds-on-favourite Manitopark at the second last.

Magic Tricks had the leader's measure between the final two hurdles and moved a few lengths clear of the chasing Great Bear and Glore D'athon at the last as Manitopark weakened out of contention.

Magic Tricks (7/2) kept on strongly and increased the margin to eight and a half lengths at the winning post.

Great Bear came in second at 11/2 by a length and three quarters from Glore D'athon (7/2).

Gordon Elliott said: “He’s a nice horse. I couldn’t believe he got beat in a bumper first time out but he does everything very easy at home and he might not have been fit enough and he was a bit green.

“I thought that was a good performance and on soft ground you would have to like what he did.

“He stays well and the way he galloped from the last to the line you would have to like him.”

Magic Tricks is a full brother to Grade One winning hurdler Abacadabras who is also trained by Elliott.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee