Cromwell confirms Vanillier for potential clash with stars in red-hot Naas chase

Gavin Cromwell is optimistic that last season's runaway Albert Bartlett hero Vanillier will show his true colours at Naas on Sunday as he bids to bounce back from a Leopardstown blip over Christmas.

It could be a cracking running of the Grade 3 Naas Racecourse Business Club Novice Chase (1.10) this weekend, with Vanillier's Christmas foes Fury Road and Run Wild Fred holding entries, as well as Stattler and En Beton, who are the second and third favourites for the National Hunt Chase.

Limerick Grade 1 runner-up Farouk D'Alene is also in the mix for the 3m1f event, alongside quality performers such as Stratum and Noble Yeats.

Vanillier opened his account over fences in a dramatic running of the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase in November before being sent off at 5-2 to land the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Vanillier (far side, leading): safely held by Fury Road and Run Wild Fred at Leopardstown last monthCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Vanillier was beaten 18 lengths in third behind Fury Road and Run Wild Fred on that occasion. Cromwell has since suggested that the National Hunt Chase could be the target for his 11-length Albert Bartlett scorer, who is a 12-1 chance with some firms to repeat his Cheltenham Festival heroics.

Cromwell said: "For whatever reason, Vanillier just didn't spark at Leopardstown at Christmas but he worked [on Tuesday] and we were happy with him, so the plan is to run on Sunday.

"It was just one of those days at Leopardstown and it wasn't his true running. He seems well in himself so he deserves to take his chance and hopefully he will give a good account of himself."

Trainer Francis Casey is also considering the race for his stable star Max Flamingo, last seen finishing a neck behind Vanillier when fourth at Leopardstown.

Casey, who will make a call on his participation on Friday morning, said: "The Irish Grand National is the long-term target but I think he has improved for Leopardstown and the decent ground that they look like having at Naas, and the trip, will suit him.

Max Flamingo: has made bright start to chasing career for Francis CaseyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He was probably a little unlucky not to be third at Leopardstown. If the two fences hadn't been out [due to low-lying sun], he probably would have finished ahead of Vanillier."

Casey added: "If he does run, as long as too much rain hasn't come and the ground hasn't gone too soft, I'd expect him to be thereabouts."

Later on the same card, all eyes will be on the Grade 3 BetVictor Limestone Lad Hurdle (2.10) as the exciting Saint Felicien, trained by Gordon Elliott, has the option of stepping into open company against classy rivals such as Cash Back, Darasso and Petit Mouchoir.

Naas Racecourse Business Club Novice Chase

Paddy Power: 9-4 Stattler, Run Wild Fred, 11-4 En Beton, 5 Farouk D'Alene, 6 Vanillier, 10 Noble Yeats, Stratum, Fury Road, 20 Max Flamingo, 33 bar.

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