King works his Magic on Winter

Winter Magic justified favouritism as he got up close home to win the Coolmore NH Sires Imperial Monarch & Recital Maiden Hunters Chase, scoring under Johnny King for Jimmy Mangan.

The six-year-old son of Cloudings won three point-to-points from four starts 'between the flags', winning on his last start at Ballinaboola in January.

Backed from 7/2 into 9/4 favouritism on-course, the bay gelding was under pressure in fifth at the third last, and he was fourth as they jumped two out.

He improved under continued pressure approaching the last, and a good jump there saw him move into second, and he railed gamely on the run-in, getting up close home to score by three parts of a length. The Tourard Man had to settle for second at 9/2 under Mikey O’Connor for John O’Callaghan, while Lanespark (16/1) was a further two and three parts of a length back in third under for Seamus Spillane.

Jane Mangan said afterwards: "He got a cut after he won his point-to-point and it put him out a lot.

"It was great that he put in such a good round of jumping as he was short of experience over park fences.

"He should improve a lot, he is only six and hopefully he will go higher.

"It is hard to know with them at this time of year as to where to go next, he might go handicapping, you will have speak to the boss!"

SUSPENSIONS

There was a sting in the tale for King, as the Stewards suspended him for five days for using his whip with excessive frequency aboard the winner, while they also suspended Eoin O'Brien, rider of Lanespark, for two day for the same offence.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes