Rossa can lay down an early marker

THE classy Rossa Baby can lay down an early marker in the €5,000 to-the-winner Oliver Hawkes Memorial Stakes at Curraheen Park by taking the first of tonight’s heats.

Trained by John Kiely (inset), Rossa Baby established two track records at Enniscorthy (525 and 600 yards) before taking a hefty tumble in the semi-final of Leinster Oaks in August.

Given a two month break by connections, Rossa Baby made an impressive reappearance over 550 yards here on Laurels final night, making most of the running in 29.82.

Rossa Baby has plenty of scope for improvement and can underline her claims here.

Buckstown Hawk looked a smart prospects when landing a stake here last months but he exited in the opening round of the Munster Puppy Cup at Clonmel and will need to step up here.

Kathryns Bracken, a 31.29 winner here in August and a good third behind We Paint Houses last time, may prove a bigger danger.

Satin Amigo, a staying on third in the Consolation Laurels, should be well suited by stepping back up in trip in heat three.

Heat two can go to Definate Opinion. A 29.87 winner over 550 yards here in August, Patrick Guilfoyle’s tracker advertised his well being when carding 31.18 at Galway last week.