Arctic earns crack at listed race

ARCTIC earned a crack at the listed Curragh Stakes when making a successful debut in the opening Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden over five furlongs at Bellewstown last night.

Despite missing the break, the Shamardal was soon disputing the lead and, in command soon after halfway, he kept going well to beat No Acting by a length, proving Curragh trainer Tracey Collins and veteran rider Pat Shanahan with a welcome change of luck.

“He’s a smart horse and we’ve always thought a lot of him,” stated the winning trainer. “He’s been ready to run for a while but had a few little problems. I suppose it was a big ask running him on such a tricky track first time and he’ll improve a lot from the run.