Paul Carberry and the syndicate of prison officers that own Micko's Dream know how to celebrate success, and that is what they all should be doing at Gowran this afternoon.
Carberry has his first ride on the remarkably versatile Micko's Dream, who takes on last season's top novice, Knife Edge, and the hardy annual Moscow Express in the National Lottery Agent Champion Chase.
Knife Edge had a warm-up at the Curragh last Saturday and is reported straight enough for this. However, he does face an opponent in Micko's Dream who proved a revelation over shorter trips last season.
The Willie Mullins-trained horse wound up with a pair of victories at Fairyhouse that made him seem a different horse to the stayer who won the Thyestes, and his versatility will make him the logical choice for many.
John Murtagh returns from the foot injury picked up on Saturday and has three rides in his campaign to reel in the championship leader Pat Smullen.
However, Mick Kinane is also on the 67 mark, five behind Smullen, and could be the one to narrow the margin with the Spinning World colt, Ursa Minor, in the opener.
The likelihood of soft ground will centre attention on El-Libaab and Tango Pasion in the two nine -furlong handicaps.
Tony Martin's impressive Irish Grand National winner Davids Lad could bid for the £100,000 Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 17th it was revealed yesterday.
Davids Lad has won six races since the start of last season.
