The Philip Rothwell-trained Starzov picked up well to run out a convincing winner of the two-mile rated novice hurdle at Cork.

Paddy O'Hanlon settled behind the leaders on the well backed 9/2 shot (14/1 this morning) and asked him for an effort jumping the third last.

The Morozov gelding hit top gear going to the final flight as he came to challenge, and led on the run-in to post a four length victory over 6/4 favourite Viceregent

Starzov had been a faller at Thurles on his last outing and was dropping back to two miles today having been competing over further.

"I had a mare run out through a wing at Limerick about six weeks before Christmas when she was clear and that seemed to be the start of carnage and we had nine seconds up to Christmas. It just wasn't happening so it is great to get a winner again,” said Rothwell.

"I had him entered in the 2m4f race as well today and possibly he wants better ground and a bit further. But with it being soft today, we said we'd go back to two miles and try outstay them.

"He was going really well when he fell in Thurles the last day and his form has been very consistent. His owner James Guilfoyle is super, he has been a great supporter of mine and we have been awfully lucky together."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)