Hatton's Grace Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Fairyhouse 13:40 €85,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 1  |
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| Sunday 29th November 2015 | |
1 Arctic Fire 4/5F
2 Alpha Des Obeaux 11/2
3 Gwencily Berbas 9/2
7 ran Distances: 4l, ¾l, 1¾l
TIME 5m 11.40s (slow by 34.40s)
Arctic Fire runs out an easy winner and becomes a first top-flight winner over jumps for sire Soldier Hollow
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Placed at the top level in the past behind such smart performers as his stablemates Faugheeen and Hurricane Fly, Arctic Fire followed up his Grade Two Lismullen Hurdle victory in style.
Ruby Walsh settled the 4-5 favourite towards the rear as Willie Mullins' other runner Clondaw Court set the pace.
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Alpha Des Obeaux went on before the second-last flight but Arctic Fire travelled strongly and cruised ahead before the final obstacle to score by four lengths.
Mullins said: "The ratings tell the story and he was entitled to win.
"He took a keen hold but has always been that way.
"He'll run over two miles at Christmas, and I'd say he will stay at home (Leopardstown).
"I don't think he'd want to go any further than that the way he pulls.
"Maybe with a stronger pace he'd settle better. I think he'll improve again from this as I was a little worried when I saw him beforehand.
"He looked a bit big but he seems to race with a bit of a tummy.
"There is a race for Clondaw Court at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. Fingers crossed he's OK after this."
Hatton's Grace Hurdle
€85,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Yielding to Soft
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Arctic Fire (GER) 4/5f | R Walsh 11-10 |
W P Mullins | 6 | |
| 2nd | 4 | Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 11/2 | B J Cooper 11-10 |
M F Morris | 5 |
| 3rd | ¾ | Gwencily Berbas (FR) 9/2 | A P Heskin 11-6 |
A Fleming | 4 |
| 4th | 1¾ | Taglietelle 16/1 | D N Russell 11-10 |
G Elliott | 6 |
| 5th | 1½ | Snow Falcon (IRE) 16/1 | S W Flanagan 11-10 |
N Meade | 5 |
| 6th | 30 | Clondaw Court (IRE) 13/2 | P Townend 11-10 |
W P Mullins | 8 |
| 7th | hd | Thomas Edison (IRE) 33/1 | B J Geraghty 11-10 |
A J Martin | 8 |
