"He showed a bit during the summer and we knew he wanted nice ground," said Tom Mullins after Arctic Light (9/1) beat his four fellow newcomers in the Punchestown For Events INH Flat Race.

Mullins' nephew Patrick was in the plate on the Ifraaj gelding, and the four-year-old is owned by Melvyn Kennedy. Tom Mullins and the owner are both married to Hughes sisters.

All involved were no doubt pleased to see their charge track the leader, lead under two furlongs out and then stay on strongly in the final furlong to beat Westland Row by a length and three parts. Tidjani was backed from 7/1 into 7/2 but he could fare no better than fourth.

"When the bad ground comes he'll be going out. He wouldn't handle soft ground at all and isn't a winter horse," added Mullins.

"He could come back here in the spring. I'm not sure what way we'll go. He jumps well.

"I was praying the rain wouldn't come or that they wouldn't overwater. He's a good horse."

(GC & EM)