Vitello returns in open Blenheim Stakes Mick Halford has long since identified Vitello as one of his more exciting juveniles and the daughter of Raven's Pass returns from over three months off in Tuesday's Blenheim Stakes. The Godolphin filly is the only one of the 10 participants in the Listed feature to have run at Fairyhouse before, winning her maiden over the course and distance in June. The runner-up on that occasion, Now Or Never, has shown the form in a good light since, placing at Group Two level in the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh. Vitello had to miss an engagement in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes on account of the going, but Halford is entitled to think he has a Stakes filly on his hands. One of Vitello's opponents is Moyglare sixth Taisce Naisiunta. Travelling head man for Jim Bolger, Ger Flynn, said of her: "She ran very well last time and we're happy with her at the moment. "She's fit and healthy and ready to go." Recent Down Royal scorer Go Kart and the Dermot Weld-trained Juliette Fair are other contenders of note. Elsewhere, the chief race of interest is probably the Christmas Parties At Fairyhouse December 19th Handicap. With a total prize fund of 24,000 euro, this mile and a half contest won't be easily won, with the rating band for the 15 contenders stretching from 89 down to 75. Jessica Harrington's dual-purpose runner Macnicholson, Jim Bolger's Gowran scorer Spin Point and Weld's Intransive are all shortlist material, but perhaps even more interesting is Blue Paraiba from John Oxx's yard. The three-year-old daughter of Sea The Stars won her maiden at this track, has been rested since June and now makes her handicap debut in first-time cheek-pieces.
