Stamina not the issue for Fire

Published at Dec 29, 2015, 11:28

Arctic Fire
© Healy Racing Photos

Willie Mullins does not believe a lack of stamina was to blame for Arctic Fire's defeat at Leopardstown on Monday.

The Champion Hurdle runner-up was sent off the 5-4 favourite on his first run over three miles in the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh gave him his usual patient ride but he was unable to close the gap in the straight as Gordon Elliott's Prince Of Scars caused a minor surprise.

Mullins, though, does not feel the six-year-old was in the best of health.

"I don't think he was right, I'm expecting something to show up over the next couple of days," Mullins told At The Races.

"He was never going, he wouldn't have won over two miles, two and a half or three.

"You couldn't say he didn't stay after that performance."

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