soon led, slight mistakes 7th and 5 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened, tailed off
soon raced in 2nd, pushed along from 4 out and lost position, no impression chasing front pair when slight mistake 2 out, one pace
raced in 5th early, soon 4th, 2nd travelling smoothly 3 out, led between last 2, slight mistake last, soon asserted, stayed on well, comfortably
soon raced in 3rd, led approaching 3 out, headed between last 2, no impression and kept on same pace from last
raced in 4th early, soon 5th, slightly slow in jumping at times, reminder 6th, pushed along from 4 out, one pace next
towards rear, 6th at 9th, pushed along from 4 out, soon no impression, no extra straight and pulled up before 2 out
soon towards rear, no impression 5 out, weakened, completely tailed off
towards rear, no impression from before 4 out, kept on same pace without threatening
ARCTIC FIRE spent most of his early days with Willie Mullins chasing Hurricane Flay and Faugheen around though he did manage Grade 1 and Cheltenham Festival victories. He was well beaten on his only start over this trip though that was on heavy going and he showed some of his old sparkle for new connections here last month. Flaxen Flare is another Festival winner though it's a very long time since he landed the 2013 Triumph Hurdle and he hasn't won for over three years. Dr Mikey makes a quick reappearance after a very good effort in a Galway handicap on Friday though that was over 2m and he's never been anywhere near this trip. Gangster also ran at Galway last week and though that was over fences he has a victory over this trip over hurdles to his credit.
Dr Mikey (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Led, pushed along after 2 out and headed last, under pressure and no impression in 4th run-in, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Top Othe Ra (11-3) at Galway 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
High Nellie (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Soon led, strongly pressed straight, stayed on well run-in, all out, won at Limerick 3m Good - Yielding in Jul beating Ravenhill (11-10) by nk, 7 ran.
Arctic Fire (GER) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear early, good jump 1st and soon improved, 4th from 2nd, 3rd 3 out, soon pushed along and no impression on leaders, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 7, 8 1/2l behind Good Thyne Tara (10-13) at Cork 2m 4f gf in Jul.
Flaxen Flare (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Made most, not fluent 4 out and again next, driven and headed before 2 out, ridden and stayed on when pressed for 2nd flat, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Swingbridge (10-2) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Gangster (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Prominent and disputed at times, 2nd halfway, improved to dispute 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra entering straight, 7th of 15, 15 1/2l behind St Stephens Green (11-12) at Galway 2m 2f Yielding in Jul.
Gusty Rocky (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, hampered, stumbled and unseated rider after 4th, at Galway 2m 2f Yielding in Jul.
Sutton Manor (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, soon behind, at Gowran Park 3m hcp gd in Jun.
Whoyakodding 16-1 (11-8) Prominent and disputed early, 3rd halfway, pushed along and lost place after 4 out, soon no extra, behind and pulled up before 2 out, at Tipperary 3m hcp gd in Jul.
