Blinkers brought about the transformation of form in Arctic Zone which benefited from the first-time ‘blinds’ when winning the Loughnagore Beginners’ Chase for trainer Trevor Horgan.

Ridden by Niall Madden, the point to point winning daughter of Arctic Lord led from two out and eventually defeated 6/4 favourite Strawhall Maul by four and a half lengths.

Afterwards Horgan stated “Arctic Zone disappointed in her last two chases and I put blinkers on her at home and they seemed to light her up – hopefully she’ll win more summer chases over three miles.”

Horgan added “I am more of a seller of horses but, as she is a mare, wasn’t ‘saleable’ so we held onto her – she actually came to me as a ‘luck penny’ when I sold another horse, Up Ou That!”