Alpha Des Obeaux may stretch Arctic Fire too far at Leopardstown

Staying races, by definition, reward stamina so Leopardstown’s main support event can help Alpha Des Obeaux secure a first Grade

One success today.

If the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle was about quality, then Arctic Fire’s credentials would be cast-iron.

The horse who spent last season chasing home Faugheen and Hurricane Fly in various Champion Hurdles secured his own – and much deserved – maiden Grade One in last month’s Hatton’s Grace when Alpha Des Obeaux finished four lengths behind him.

On ratings, Arctic Fire has 17lbs in hand on his rival so there’s little doubt which is the better horse – at two-and-a-half miles.

The crucial fact is that this is Arctic Fire's first attempt at three miles and Willie Mullins is gambling the horse's quality will last out.

Even on good ground it would be a gamble but on these testing conditions Ruby Walsh faces a real task is getting Arctic Fire to last home given his free-running tendencies.

Not surprisingly the hood is kept on him to try to make him relax but it didn’t fully work at Fairyhouse and these ground conditions are very taxing on anything running too free.

Alpha Des Obeaux's connections may not have banked on having to face their old rival again, and the horse also has a dangerous opponent in the Albert Bartlett winner Martello Tower, who is making his first start of the season.

Mouse Morris’s star has proven form at three miles on soft ground, however, and is capable of stretching Arctic Fire’s quality to breaking point over the conditions.

Balbir Du Mathan is back for another crack at the Beginners Chase having finished runner up to the ill-fated Le Vent D’Antan a year ago.

The Barry Connell-owned runner had a thankless task on his return to action when chasing home Pont Alexandre at Punchestown but kept at it well enough to suggest he can go one better this time.

Malt Gem won over fences at Gowran last time and can make the most of a light weight in the Pertemps Qualifier for Cork trainer Mary Louise Halahan.