Arctic Fire and Hidden Cyclone both produced battling performances to claim the Grade 2 races at Navan.
Willie Mullins‘ Arctic Fire gained reward for a string of consistent efforts at the highest level last season by landing the Lismullen Hurdle, while Hidden Cyclone pocketed the Fortria Chase.
Odds-on favourite Arctic Fire did not initially appear set to justify his position in the market in the Lismullen Hurdle over two-and-a-half miles when trailing Monksland by three lengths going to the last flight.
However, Monksland made a mistake at the final flight and that allowed Ruby Walsh to galvanise Arctic Fire on the run-in to win by half-a-length.
Taglietelle was back in third, while there was a long gap back to last season’s Irish Hennessy winner Carlingford Lough in fourth.
In the Fortria Chase over two miles, Hidden Cyclone stayed on gamely to win for jockey Brian Hayes and trainer Shark Hanlon.
Hidden Cyclone hit the front after Flemenstar made a hash of the third last and he kept on well to beat Days Hotel, who was second in the race last year, by six-and-a-half lengths.
Dual Grade 1-winning chaser Special Tiara was fourth, just as he was 12 months ago, while last year’s winner Twinlight was pulled up.
Kitten Rock, who was sixth behind Faugheen in last season’s Champion Hurdle, made a winning debut over fences when beating Sizing Titanium by a length-and-a-quarter in the 2m Beginners Chase.
