Dr Mikey and Donie McInerney head for home© Photo Healy Racing
Dr Mikey showed an aptitude for fences when making all in the beginners chase in Gowran Park.
He led his 12 rivals throughout but was strongly pressed after the last by 7/1 favourite A Plus Tard
However, the 11/1 shot kept finding and repelled the challenger by a neck. Gun Digger stayed on for third at 20/1.
Handler Margaret Flynn said: “We ran him in a few good hurdle races and he was getting caught for a bit of toe against them on easier tracks. He needs a big galloping track.
“This is his game now. Andrew Lynch schooled him in Tipperary last week and he was brilliant. I’m delighted every day he stays sound because he had such a bad injury before.
“I was a bit worried when he didn’t try and kill somebody saddling up! He was quiet in himself, and I was afraid that I’d left him short of work but it worked out.
“He likes it loose but probably won’t run on very heavy or gluey ground. We’ll find a winners’ race and Donie said he only just stayed that trip. Two miles was his trip over hurdles.
“There is no point trying to hold him up as he’d only fight with you. He just wants his head the whole time, and that’s the way I ride him out at home. Whatever he wants to do we do.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
