Magical Fun ran out a comfortable winner of the Cahir Handicap chase, opening leg of the Ireland vs. Australia Jockey's Challenge, at a wintry Thurles yesterday.
Partnered by Kieran Gaule, who was not a participant in the competition, Eamonn Sheehy's nine year-old came home 1 1/2 lengths clear of Gordon's Bay after sealing victory with a fine leap at the final fence.
The efforts of the runner-up's rider Paul Carberry, and Kieran Kelly, who was aboard third-placed Carrig House, earned Ireland a 8-3 lead over their Southern hemisphere counterparts after the opening exchanges.
Ciaron Maher, who claimed fourth place on top-weight Merchants Friend, fared best of the visitors.
Trainer James Burns enjoyed a fruitful afternoon, saddling a double through Vinthea and Powerswood. The first-named (5/2-3/1jf) stepped up on her recent second placing at Galway when taking the opening EBF maiden in a tight finish.
Niall McCullagh's mount looked beaten when headed by Quakemaker entering the final furlong but battled back strongly to prevail by a head, with Margarula a similar margin away in third.
8/1 chance Powerswood showed the benefit of a recent pipe-opener at Listowel when driven out by Philip Carberry to land the Thurles Handicap at the main expense of bottom-weight Kevins View.
Pasteur extended his winning sequence to four with a game effort in Division One of the Horse & Jockey Maiden, holding off staying-on newcomer Zanara by 3/4 length.
The improving three year-old will now revert to hurdling, in which sphere he is unbeaten in three starts, but is likely to be put away when the ground changes.
Division Two went to Charles O'Brien's Domenico, who just got the better of a tremendous tussle with favorite Turtle Dancer.
