It proved to be a very merry Christmas for a senior Bengaluru trainer at Guindy on Christmas day. The happy go lucky S Dominic proudly led in Vibrant Bliss, the winner of the Christmas Cup after the talented juvenile made a smashing debut in the ongoing Bangalore winter season on Nov 30. On the strength of his facile victory in his first career start, the speedy Vibrant Bliss was strongly fancied by Dominic to come up tops in the feature event and the talented son of Phoenix Tower from the Manjri Stud Farm, played the perfect Santa, Christmas gifts to all punters and his trainer, who sent him out spot on for the plum event for juveniles run over a sprint.

Leading `Knight' Trevor Patel produced a copybook effort on the winner, who it must be mentioned is in rousing form and is likely to complete a hat-trick of wins when next saddled at home.  Satisfied with his success, Dominic disclosed that Vibrant Bliss has scope for improvement and he will be on top of his game in his next start taking into account that Vibrant Bliss will benefit most from this exercise after his first success. "He impressed me from the moment he started to learn his lessons and I knew I had a good early bird in my yard," said the five decade old trainer, who always has managed to pull a rabbit out of the bag. Last year it was Jersey King and this winter, Vibrant Bliss has provided the portly schooler a shot in-the-arm, recording his second straight success in soft underfoot conditions following the steady drizzle at Guindy. Joondalup from James McKeown's yard partnered by leading pro Umesh followed the Bengaluru raider home ahead of the Mysuru hopeful Pretty Move from the stables of leading trainer Rakesh.

The Vijay Singh-trained Tycoonist won the upper division of the Red Rum Handicap edging out the consistent Relic Warrior close home. The runner-up from Rupa 's yard piloted by Hindu Singh produced a winning gallop in the final furlong to beat Relic Warrior, who after assuming command at the top of the straight looked good to enter the winners' circle before Tycoonist and Hindu Singh spoilt the party of Rupa and her `Warrior'. Constant Variable from the stables of Fahad Khan, who impressed most finishing second behind Hawk Of The Wind in his last essay was fancied most to come up trumps in this set, but the public choice failed to reproduce that effort and that cost his followers dear, the favourite finishing behind Relic Warrior.

The six to one shot All Stars proved too good in the lower division of the event, outclassing her nine rivals including the overwhelming favourite Royal Chivalry from trainer B Suresh's yard who after a series of good efforts surprisingly performed below par, much to the disappointment of the Suresh camp. MS Deora astride Danny's Girl  made a bold attempt to send his girl ahead soon after the field of 10 runners came under the starter's flag for the six furlongs trip, but the long shot after calling the shots for most part of the sprint contest failed to match strides with All Stars, who zoomed past the front runner to score in emphatic fashion. Last start winner Lavish Girl finished third ahead of the topweighted Raffinato, who had beaten Danny's Girl to earn his cornbill earlier in the season.

The favourite Desert Hero from Ravinder Singh's yard justified his top billing flashing home first in the Alpinista Handicap run over a distance of nine furlongs. Second in demand at the betting ring, Vivaldi after being favourably placed at the top of the straight got into a pocket from which he never recovered and eventually finished in the ruck. Lesser fancied Wolf Creek from James McKeown's yard partnered by Umesh followed Desert Hero, who recorded a hat-trick to the delight of Ravinder Singh. The Bengaluru raider Thewhisperquietly who had his share of followers found the winner too hot to handle and only managed to save money in place.

The even-money favourite Rise Again from Fahad Khan's yard justified his ranking powering home to a impressive victory in the Hot Stepper Handicap run over a mile.The winner in the hands of Umesh stole a march approaching the distance post before quickly putting the race to bed in the final furlong. Larado gained the runner-up berth ahead of Blue Eyed Boy, while Truth In Wine completed the frame.

The ten to one shot Reign Of Terror stunned the followers of form in the Indictment Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs. The shock winner from Mandanna's yard strongly piloted by Umesh comfortably snuffed out the challenge of another long shot Masterpiece while the pipping hot favourite Impiana was never in the hunt. Empire Of Dreams caught the eye while finishing a creditable third and is one for the notebook.

The on-money favourite Bohemian Star from Rupa's yard to the delight of the punters won the opening event, the Better Than Ever Handicap run  over a sprint . The in-form pro Trevor Patel produced his best, packing punch in the final furlong to peg back the effort of another fancied contestant War Emblem fancied `sweetly' in place. The runner-up after this satisfactory exercise is tipped to go one better and earn his winning bracket when saddled next.