Arctic Fly makes winning start to hurdling career

Arctic Fly made a winning start to her hurdling career when leading throughout in the opening Ladbrokes "We Play Together" Mares Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown.

Also successful on her racecourse debut at Leopardstown in March, the Willie Mullins trained mare had run well in two subsequent starts in Listed and Grade 3 class respectively.

With her sights lowered considerably this afternoon, the five-year-old was sent straight to the front by Jack Foley and was never headed. The Grey Dove briefly looked a threat when closing up after the second last flight but as soon as Foley let out an inch of rein, his mount quickened right away for an impressive win.

“She did that well. That was the plan, to get away smart and wherever I settled after that,” said Foley.

“She settled beautifully in front and jumped really well, she really took to jumping anyway.

“There are plenty of options for her going forward. She winged the last and she hit the line hard.

“She'd obviously won a bumper and there was never any worry here today. When I gave her a squeeze going to the last she picked up really well the whole day to the line.”

It was the rider's first winner since last October and he added:- “Thank-God and it's good to ride one for the trainer.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson