Jimmy Mangan's pair fought out the finish in the handicap chase at Punchestown with Winter Magic getting on top in the closing stages. Kilcrea took them along in the 3m1f event but was tackled turning for home by his stable-mate.

A better jump at the final fence sealed things for Winter Magic who stayed on best on the run-in, under Adrian Heskin, to record a four-length victory at odds of 7/1.

The winner was making his seasonal reappearance having been well beaten at the track on his last outing back in June.

“The cheek-pieces are a big help and he travelled well,” said Mangan.

“He’s got a good, tough pedigree that gets better with age. He could go for the Thyestes if he gets in.

“Kilcrea ran a cracker as well. It’s a pity that we had to run the two of them put you run out of opportunities with meetings being called off.

“Both horses like a good galloping track like here or Navan.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)