COLUMN Of Fire served notice that he could have a part to play in a good race before the end of the season as he routed his rivals in the Ladbrokes-sponsored two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle.

Twelve months ago this race went to the subsequent Martin Pipe runner-up Dallas Des Pictons and this year’s winner could easily reach a similar level. Two weeks on from a fall at Fairyhouse when he looked a likely winner of a maiden hurdle, the experienced Gigginstown House Stud-owned six-year-old outclassed this opponents. The evens favourite eased clear of the field from the second last for Davy Russell and finished on the bridle to prevail by 13 lengths.