Darrens Hope had looked up to this level when easily beating Ragnor Lodbrok and Young Ted at Cork and was nowhere near her best on a return visit three weeks ago. BAPTISM OF FIRE beat that good yardstick Wide Receiver at Punchestown before coming up against the very smart Fury Road in a Grade 2 on the same track. He'll take some beating and Farouk D'Alene was disappointing when only fourth in a Navan Grade 3 last time. Vanillier was having only his second start over timber when beating a big field of maidens at Naas
Baptism Of Fire (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Raced in 2nd, ridden and dropped to 3rd approaching last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Fury Road (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 6f (1) hvy in Nov.
Costalotmore (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Made all, still travelling smoothly straight, soon went on, stayed on well from before last, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hvy in Dec beating Mount Melleray (11-6) by 8l, 13 ran.
Farouk D'Alene (FR) Evensfav (11-4) Led, jumped right, headed after 5 out, pushed along early straight, 2nd and not fluent 2 out, dropped to 4th before last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 5 1/2l behind Fakiera (11-4) at Navan 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Ragnar Lodbrok (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Towards rear, 5th after 5th, not fluent at 8th, took closer order after 4 out, slight mistake in 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leader 2 out where not fluent, kept on run-in, not trouble winner, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Sayce Gold (10-9) at Cork 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Vanillier (FR) 10-3 (12-0) Prominent, soon 2nd, slightly slow 6th and next, pushed along to challenge straight, on terms before last, led run-in, stayed on best, won at Naas 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Fantasio D'alene (12-0) by 2 1/4l, 20 ran.
Young Ted (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 3rd, pushed along early straight, kept on same pace from after 2 out, 4th of 7, 10 1/2l behind Darrens Hope (10-9) at Cork 3m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Carrolls Cottage (IRE) 5-6fav (11-9) Led briefly early, prominent, went on with leader approaching 7th, on terms 4 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on best to assert run-in, won at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hvy in Dec beating Wasdale Park (11-9) by 7l, 18 ran.
Darrens Hope (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) In touch, dropped to 4th after 5th, lost place at 9th, under pressure in rear after 4 out, detached and pulled up before 3 out, at Cork 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Pepite De Belle 40-1 (10-13) Mid-division early, closer in 5th halfway, challenged entering straight, ridden to dispute before 2 out, asserted after last, kept on well closing stages, won at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn hvy in Dec beating Eilise's A Lady (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
