Baptism Of Fire© Photo Healy Racing
Baptism Of Fire (6/1) led on the run-in to win the concluding 2m6f beginners' chase on his second start over fences.
The Jeremy gelding, a point-to-point winner for Denis Murphy, tracked the leaders and moved into second place at the last. He found plenty off the bridle to go past Fest Deiz and hold the late run of Bacardys The latter was two lengths adrift at the line with another length and three quarters back to Fest Deiz.
The Gigginstown-owned winner had been off since Christmas and ran respectably behind National Hunt Chase winner Stattler on chase debut. He scored over hurdles in 2020 but was unable to add to that maiden victory in that sphere.
After Amirite Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore were doubling up for the evening and the latter remarked: “He didn’t progress as much as I thought he would over hurdles but hopefully now chasing is his game.
“He handled that ground and finished well. They have done a nice job with the ground and it is very safe.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
