Arctic Fire could come in from the cold and win at Navan

Willie Mullins-trained star chased home Faugheen at both Cheltenham and Punchestown last season

Henry De Bromhead: Home Farm is one of three Henry De Bromhead entries for the Grade Two Tote Fortria Chase at Navan
Henry De Bromhead: Home Farm is one of three Henry De Bromhead entries for the Grade Two Tote Fortria Chase at Navan

Arctic Fire could get to step out of the shadows of some famous stable companions in Sunday's Grade Two Lismullen Hurdle at Navan.

The Willie Mullins-trained star chased home Faugheen at both Cheltenham and Punchestown last season, and also filled the runner-up spot behind Hurricane Fly in the Irish Champion Hurdle in January.

Arctic Fire’s run of near-misses also includes missing out on top-flight success at Liverpool with a nasty last-flight fall in the Aintree Hurdle, and he has won just twice from his 13 starts over flights to date.

However, he appears to be a ratings standout among the 13 entries left in Sunday’s €40,000 highlight for which Mullins has also left in the multiple Grade 1 winning novice Nicholls Canyon.

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Next March

Both horses are rated as low as 9-1 behind Faugheen in ante-post betting for next March’s Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Home Farm holds a Lismullen entry but is also one of three Henry De Bromhead entries for the Grade Two Tote Fortria Chase on the same card.

De Bromhead’s challenge could be led by the Grade One winner Special Tiara, although last year’s winner Twinlight is also in line to defend his title in the two-mile event.

Twinlight's stable companion Champagne Fever has also been left in the Fortria, as well as Flemenstar, winner in both 2012 and 2013, who may have a first start for his new trainer Anthony Curran.

Ground conditions at Navan are currently “good to yielding”.

The forecast for the coming days is for largely dry weather.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column