Donal Murphy
Warrior completes a double for Mullins
Arctic Warrior jumps the last under Mark Walsh
© Photo Healy Racing
Arctic Warrior completed a double at Sligo for Willie Mullins, as he ran out an easy winner of the Lough Arrow Maiden Hurdle.
A three-parts brother to Arctic Fire, the bay gelding was still in with every chance when falling at the second last on his Irish debut at Down Royal in February.
Expected to make amends this evening, the German bred son of Pastorius was sent off the clear 1/4 favourite in the colours of owner JP McManus.
Settled in second by Mark Walsh, the five-year-old victor improved to lead after two out and he soon went clear, coming home eleven lengths to the good. Moakland (8/1) made late headway to take second under Shane Fitzgerald for John Ryan, while Coastguard Station (40/1) was another three-parts of a length back in third for Sam Curling and Kevin Sexton.
"It was just a matter of getting around with him," said Walsh.
"He's learned from the last day which was just unfortunate.
"He'll just have to learn to settle a bit better than he did today. They didn’t go overly quick and he was fairly keen.
"I just wanted to teach him a bit today and it all worked out. He jumped well and won well in the end."
Willie Mullins was earlier on the mark with Attitash in the third.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan