Arctic Bresil and Rachael Blackmore win the Bar One Racing Maiden Hurdle © Photo Healy Racing
Arctic Bresil showed his future Grade 1 entries to be well justified when overcoming a long absence to make a winning racecourse debut in the Bar One Racing Maiden Hurdle at Cork.
Last seen when finishing second in a point-to-point at Tattersalls Farm 400 days ago, the Henry De Bromhead trained gelding raced prominently throughout under Rachael Blackmore, before seeing off main market rival Mercurey
Even a slight mistake at the second last wasn't enough to prevent the Blue Bresil gelding from making a successful debut under rules. He quickly recovered from that error and powered clear to win easily under Blackmore.
Winning trainer Henry De Bromhead said: "I'm delighted with that and he is a horse who had shown plenty of promise and Sean Doyle (point to point handler) recommended him. I'm delighted for his owner Peter Davies who is a great supporter of ours.
"We liked him at home but you always have to do it on the track. He is by Blue Bresil and is from the same cross as Constitution Hill - both are out of King's Theatre mares. Whether or not he is him or not I don't know and we have a long way to go for that but it is nice to win a maiden hurdle.
"He's normally fast asleep at home so it surprised me he was keen. Paul (Townend, on Mercurey) and Rachael were taking each other on a bit, Rachael opted to do what she did and it worked out thankfully.
"I don't think we need to rush and there is the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Hurdle at Punchestown in the middle of January and that might be the race for him. Christmas would feel too close to me but we'll see and enjoy today. He has a lot of pace so we will stick two two miles."
Paddy Power cut Arctic Bresil from 33/1 to 12/1 for the Ballymore Novices Hurdle.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
