Artic Pearl

Arctic Pearl only finished fourth in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle, but there were still grounds for encouragement. This was his first run over hurdles since he had won the same race the previous year, off a 7lb lower mark, and it all happened a little too quickly for him. He wasn’t slick over his hurdles, and he got out-paced before staying on to take fourth place, albeit 20 lengths behind the winner Treacysenniscorthy.

Martin Brassil’s horse should do better now stepped up in trip, and probably back over fences. He is rated similarly under both codes, but he has more scope for progression now over fences, and his half-brother, Best Served Cold, was a staying hurdler and chaser for Michael Hourigan and Gigginstown House Stud.

Punchestown, 8^th December 2019