Mick Maestro ends long wait for a winner for 'chuffed' trainer Nick Kent

North Lincolnshire trainer Nick Kent has never saddled more than four winners in a season before, but is hopeful a burgeoning relationship with the Crossed Fingers Partnership can boost his small yard as Mick Maestro became his first winner of the campaign for the owners most closely associated with dual Grade 1 winner God's Own.

Kent's last three runners had gone off at 150-1 or bigger, but Mick Maestro returned at a much shorter 11-1 in the 2m½f handicap hurdle on his second appearance following a near two-year layoff to give his yard a first success since February.

"We're absolutely chuffed," said Kent. "It's my first winner for the owners and I can't thank them enough. They're absolutely made up and you've got to hand it to owners who stick by their horses.