Arctic Fire returns from retirement with Cork win

Twenty fifteen Champion Hurdle runner-up Arctic Fire bounced back from semi-retirement to winning ways at Cork today as he landed the Joe Walsh Memorial Hurdle for new trainer Denis Cullen and under jockey Denis O'Regan.

Formerly in the care of Champion Trainer Willie Mullins, Arctic Fire was the winner of the 2017 County Hurdle at Cheltenham two years after chasing home then stablemate Faugheen in a famous renewal of the Champion Hurdle.

Arctic Fire runs in the colours of Mullins' recent Galway winner Wicklow Bloodstock (Ireland) Ltd's Wicklow Brave and was today having his second start for new trainer Cullen, who returned the nine year old gelding to the track following a 441 day absence at today's Co Cork venue on July 13.

Today, Arctic Fire put in a near perfect and efficient round of jumping when readily beating Flaxen Flare

Afterwards Cullen revealed “obviously when he came to me it was taking one day at a time and if he's healthy he'll keep going. I had a girl, Louise Lynne who was waiting in the wings to ride him in the racehorses-to-riding class at the RDS but it's all going great now.

“I don't the full extent of why or for what reason but obviously the horse's welfare comes first and is paramount but he has shown no reason why he shouldn't be in training, as he is sound, fit and well and is enjoying what he is doing.”

He also said “he ran a cracker on his comeback run recently and has taken a step forward from that run. He won nicely and we'll have a look at the Hattons Grace Hurdle now; I had half a notion we'd go jumping fences but he's doing ok over hurdles and we might stay there for the minute.

“His jumping was very very good and I didn't need to do much schooling with him; when a fella goes into sixth class you don't start teaching him how to read and write. He knows how to do it so I leave it to him but I gave him a pop just to make sure his eye was in.

“Denis O'Regan was good on him and he learned a lot from riding him the last time.

“I read the report on the card saying they were concerned about 'the bounce factor' and turning around in two weeks but he had given me no inclination at home that he didn't come out of his race well.”