Arctic Blaze kept on strongly under Siobhan Rutledge to take the concluding TipperaryRaces.ie Handicap at Tipperary.

An infrequent winner, with just the sole previous success to her name, the mare showed real battling qualities to repel all challengers in the straight.

Having made most, the six-year-old looked in trouble a furlong out as favourite Extensio loomed large. However, to her credit, the John McConnel trained mare answered every call from her rider and stayed on well close home.

Siobhan Rutledge said; "I thought she was done for a bit of speed in her previous race so myself and John (McConnell) had it in our heads today to go off in front and make it a staying race. Thankfully it worked out, she stayed really well and the cheekpieces help her stay genuine and she is happy in them.

"She is very tough and credit to Extensio and Sylvia (O'Donnell, rider of runner-up) but thankfully it was Arctic Blaze's day today."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes