Flame proves too hot for maiden rivals The Patrick Foley trained Arctic Flame opened her account over flights when staying on strongly under Simon Torrens to land the Hovis Ireland Mares Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal. A consistent mare since going hurdling, the five-year-old was sent off 2/1f to shed her maiden status on this fourth start. Chasing leader Astelia for much of the race, Arctic Flame dropped back to third after a less than fluent jump four from home. Briefly pushed along before the next, the daughter of Walk In The Park responded well to her rider to come through to challenge two out. Soon in front, Arctic Flame kept on well from the final flight to beat Astelia by two-and-three-quarter lengths. Patrick Foley said: "Yeah, I suppose when she was 109 I felt there was a maiden hurdle in her "If we could go back, we would probably ride her very differently in a bumper. She always seemed like a filly that basically stays and it was only when we changed tactics with her in her maiden hurdles, when she was held up a bit, that she started finishing out her races better. "There probably was a bumper in her if I'd known that. "Simon said she didn't travel as well as she can. The ground is as quick as you would want for her. She might be starting in season as well. "He said he was happy enough she would pick up from the second last. "You'd imagine so (go down handicap route) and see what the handicapper does. As long as the ground stays relatively good, she won't be in it for the winter." Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
