Micks off the mark

Former point-to-point winner Micks appreciated the step up to three miles as he opened his account over timber in the Gowran Park Racing Club Handicap Hurdle.

Alan Crowe produced the 7/2 favourite to lead at the second last and he kicked on before the final flight.

Both Novarov and Days Of Glory finished to good effect on the run-in but couldn't peg back the Christy Roche-trained winner, who scored by a length-and-three-quarters.

The winner had run well at Punchestown last time when staying on nicely behind easy victor Irish Soul, who has since franked the form.

"He got 5lb for being second at Punchestown, which I was a bit surprised about, but maybe the handicapper was right," said Roche.

"He won a point-to-point for John Halley. All mine are on fire at the moment.

"He's a small handy horse so we might up him a bit in class so he can run off a lowish weight again."