Pride Of The Artic completes his hat-trick

Despite going off the outsider of the three for the John F McGuire Novice Chase, Pride Of The Artic put in a gutsy display to land the spoils recording his third success on the trot.

The Peter Fahey trained 7yo son of Definite Article won on his third start over fences at Down Royal in June before following up at the Galway Festival.

Sent off at 3/1 this afternoon he made all the running and jumped well before getting in close at the last two.

He kept on well on the run-in to fend off the challenge of Ballyadam Brook (9/4) under Davy Condon by four and three parts of a length. Sweet My Lord was sent off the 9/10 favourite for Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins but he ran no sort of race and finished twenty-three lengths back in third.

Winning trainer Peter Fahey said afterwards: "He just keeps improving. We were a bit worried giving the weight away today (giving five pounds to his two rivals as he won two chases).

"He got in close to the last but he popped over it and he jumped well throughout.

"We will have to step him up to graded company now and there is lots of good races over the winter for him now that we know he handles the heavy ground.

"The race at Galway that he won has worked out well and small fields seem to suit him as it gives him time to settle."

The win was a real family affair as Pride Of The Artic is owned by Peter Fahey's brother Brendan and he was ridden to victory by Peter's brother-in-law Andrew Leigh.

(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)