Arctic Fire burns off rivals to break Grade One duck

Champion Hurdle runner-up Arctic Fire was the star performer on a Sunday of top-class racing at Fairyhouse, the Willie Mullins-trained and Ruby Walsh-ridden gelding landing his first Grade One, the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, in tremendous style.

With upwards of 19lbs in hand of his rivals, he was entitled to score comfortably, but it didn’t stop the layers taking him on. Surprisingly available at even-money for quite some time before the off, late money forced him back into 4-5 and those who retained faith in the Lismullen Hurdle winner enjoyed a smooth ride throughout, despite his usual tendency to race keenly.

Dropped out early, he eased into contention on the turn for home, moved upsides after the second-last, and only had to be pushed out to come home clear of Alpha Des Obeaux and Gwencily Berbas.

“He was entitled to win, he didn’t have to improve on his best runs,” admitted Mullins.

“Looking at him in the parade ring beforehand I thought he had a bit of a tummy, but he’s a horse that can carry a bit of condition.

“Ruby said he was very keen, and I think he’ll be better dropped in over a shorter trip and in a more truly run race.

“We’ll roll on to Christmas now, and I think he’ll stay at home. My thinking would be to run this horse and Nichols Canyon at Leopardstown, and send Faugheen to Kempton for the Christmas Hurdle.”

Mullins also landed the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, a race the market certainly got right, as heavily backed odds-on favourite Long Dog, ridden by Ruby Walsh, got the better of stable companion Bachasson, in the hands of Paul Townend, with the easy-to-back Gunnery Sergeant a long way back in third.

It was a sixth victory in the race for Mullins, Long Dog following in the footprints of Alexander Banquet, Hurricane Fly, Zaidpour, Sous Les Cieux and last year’s winner, Nichols Canyon.

Always close to the pace, Long Dog moved to the front in the straight but was joined going to the second last by his stable companion.

A quicker jump at the final hurdle seemed to put him in control, and he was a length clear with a half a furlong to go. But there was an anxious moment for supporters as Bachasson produced a late lunge to close the gap to just a neck.

It was a fifth consecutive victory over hurdles for the Rich and Susannah Ricci-owned five-year-old and a first defeat over timber for the year-younger Bachasson, but Mullins seemed particularly taken by the latter.

“It was very close, I thought Ruby got the run of the race on Long Dog,” said Mullins. “He had ‘position A’ all the time and, apart from missing the third-last, did everything right.

“Bachasson wasn’t at the races for most of it. Whether he didn’t like the weather or the ground I don’t know, he just got into the race around the last bend.

“I thought he ran a tremendous race to get as close as he did. I would take a huge amount from where he finished, considering what he did during the race. He must have a fair engine.

“If they met again, I wouldn’t like to bet (on which would finish in front of the other). They could both run in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown, over Christmas, and may step up in trip at a later stage.”

Mullins completed a treble when Lucky Pass, ridden by Patrick Mullins, made a winning debut in the bumper.

On a blustery day, the attendance was 4,873, down from 6,145 in 2014.