Nights In Venice

Nights In Venice : 2016 chestnut gelding
Owner : Legends In Disguise

Pedigree

                                                                      Night Shift
                                        Midnight Legend
                                                                      Myth
Nights In Venice
2016 chestnut gelding
                                                                      Beneficial
                                        Well Disguised
                                                                      Executive Move

The family

Nights In Venice is the fourth foal out of the Dodlands Steading trained racemare Well Disguised. Picked up by Donald as a 3yr old at Doncaster Sales, Well Disguised raced for Al Duncan and 'Lucky Dave' Leslie for whom she won 4 hurdles and was placed numerous times in bumpers and hurdles.
Well Disguised is a half sister to a useful staying jumper in Paul Nicholls' French Executive, the winner of 7 races over jumps including the Sussex National.
The granddam, Executive Move, unraced but a half sister to useful hurdler/chaser Parson's Green, who won 7 races for Nicky Henderson in the early 90s.
4th dam Bruff Gypsy is a half sister to Scottish National winner Cockle Strand.
Well Disguised is the dam of 4-time winning fairly useful hurdler Eternally Yours, now a successful broodmare with a 2024 filly foal by Dragon Dancer.

About the sire

Midnight Legend (bay horse, born 1991) is by Night Shift, a son of the legendary, and hugely influential, sire Northern Dancer.
Midnight Legend, a round barreled sort, was trained on the flat at Newmarket by Luca Cumani, and although just below top class, he showed himself as a tough, middle distance performer winning 7 of his 24 races including 3 Listed events.
Unusually for an entire, he raced over hurdles for David Nicholson, winning the Grade 2 Champion Novices Hurdle at Punchestown as a 6yr old.
Midnight Legend is widely recognised as a top class NH sire, with several classy individuals to his credit. Grade 2 winners Midnight Chase, My Petra and Sparky May spring to mind. Of course, he hit the jackpot in 2017 when his son Sizing John won the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Sadly though that was a posthumous success for in July 2016, Midnight Legend passed away at his home at Pitchall Farm in Warwickshire at the age of 25. He'll be missed by all.

Form Summary

Season 2024-25 outlook

Perhaps the clue to that heartbreaking (i.e. non-winning) 2022-23 season was staring us in the face.
For in December 2023, we sent Nights In Venice to have a small wind operation. And that seemed to do the trick, for after an encouraging first outing over fences (jumped well) , Nights In Venice finally got his nose in front in impressive style when winning a 2m 4f handicap chase at Ayr in February.
He looked to be unsuited by the continual undulations of Hexham next time but acquitted himself quite well next time when 3rd at Newcastle in April.

Nights In Venice didn't enjoy the best of times at summer grass this year, and returned to Dodlands looking a bit sorry for himself.
However, back in familiar settings and receiving welcoming care and affection from the team, come November 'Mac' was looking very well and enjoying life once more. This tall, lengthy gelding, should run well in staying handicap chases this season.

Profile....
After 3 fillies from her first 3 foals, it was with a sense of relief to her breeder (Al Duncan) when Well Disguised gave birth to a colt foal by Midnight Legend in 2016. However, It proved a bittersweet time for the well-regarded British based sire as only a couple of months after the birth of 'Mac', Midnight Legend died at the age of 25.
Bred at Eildon Hill Stud in nearby Melrose, 'Mac' spent the first couple of years of his life with the foals of 2016 in the spacious fields surrounding the stud. But as he outgrew the next crops of foals and yearlings, 'Mac' was moved on to just down the road from Dodlands and since turning 2yr old, has enjoyed the close care of Ruth Jardine at her livery yard (returning each summer) or under the tutelage of Gary Rutherford to complete his education.
Nights In Venice first came into Dodlands for a couple of weeks in late Spring 2019 to get an initial feel for stable life and morning gallops, and for the next 18 months was in and out of our yard, varying between training and resting, strengthening & maturing.
Unlike his siblings, Nights In Venice did initially prove to be a backward sort (more like progeny we've experienced of his sire Midnight Legend) so it was into Spring of 2021 before he made his racecourse debut. We were disappointed with his effort that day at Carlisle (9th of 10) but none of the Dodlands' horses ran very well around that time.
So......onto season 2021-22 and gradual improvement. On seasonal reappearance, Nights In Venice ran a fine race in a bumper at Kelso, finishing 2nd (albeit at a fair distance) to a good horse in Donny Boy (subsequent fairly useful hurdler). He ended that season by running well in a couple of novice hurdles in good company at Carlisle in February & March.
Just quite how we didn't manage to win with Nights In Venice in 2022-23 still causes nightmares...6 runs, 4 places and travelling well over the last more than once. But, hey-ho......

Season		win	2nd	3rd	4th	other
2020-21	NH Flat					1
2021-22	NH Flat		1			1
2021-22	Hurdles				1	2
2022-23	Hurdles		2	1	1	2
2023-24	Hurdles					2
	Chases	1		1	2
2024-25	Chases			3		1

Current Season Form

7 March 25 Ayr : 2m 4½f handicap chase (Class 4 0-110) OR96 soft 9 ran (Craig Nichol) - 3rd (beaten 3¼l)

Waited with, gd hdwy appr 4 out, ev ch when slightly hmpd 2 out, 2nd and challenging when blundered last, wknd close home and cght for 2nd nr line.

Nights In Venice has run another fine race. Although hampered by a faller 2 out, he probably wasn't going to win.

17 February 25 Carlisle : 2m 4½f handicap chase (Class 4 0-110) OR97 good to soft 11 ran (Craig Nichol) - 3rd (beaten 21½l)

Mid-division, headway 7th, one pace 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, no impression

On ground a bit faster than is ideal for him, Nights In Venice has run a cracking race. In truth, this was run at a fair pace and very few got in a blow. The first two (Hello Judge & Indian Louis) were in the van throughout and our lad was just about flat to the boards from the off.

3 February 25 Carlisle : 3m ½f handicap chase (Class 5 0-105) OR98 soft 15 ran (Craig Nichol) - 3rd (beaten 11½l)

Tracked leaders, effort after 4 out and took 2nd place, every chance from 2 out but no extra and lost 2nd place last

Nights In Venice jumped really well here and ran well till not quite lasting out this stiff 3 miles after 2 out. He's in good form though and maybe a less testing trip / course will suit him better.

7 December 24 Wetherby : 3m handicap chase (Class 4 0-110) OR99 soft 10 ran (Conor O'Farrell) - pulled up

Mid division. In touch till weakened quickly after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out.

Seasonal debut for Nights In Venice, and after a not brilliant summer at grass, he was one of the yard stricken by a cold virus. He seemed well enough pre race and was jumping and travelling quite well until after 4 out.

Previous Season Form

13 April 24 Newcastle : 2m 4f handicap chase (Class 5 0-100) OR100 heavy 5 ran (Henry Brooke) - 3rd (beaten 7l)

In touch, every chance from 3 out, no extra after last

He ran much better than last time but hasn't come on as much as we'd hoped from his Ayr success. Possibly could be showing the signs of a long-ish season.

22 March 24 Hexham : 2m 4f handicap chase (Class 5 0-105) OR101 heavy 5 ran (Henry Brooke) - 4th (beaten 34½l)

In touch, ridden from home turn, weakened

Unsuited by track

26 February 24 Ayr : 2m 4½f handicap chase (Class 4 0-110) OR98 heavy 6 ran (Henry Brooke) - won (by ¾l)

Tracked leaders, jumped well, shaken up 4 out and upsides after 3 out, led after 2 out and soon asserted, idled a little on run-in.

Up in class, down in trip but Nights In Venice ran a cracker here on just his second start over fences to win from a competitive field. He jumped really well, the 2nd horse (Travail D'Orfevre) is a good yardstick so there's every chance he can follow this up in something similar given advantageous ground.

5 February 24 Carlisle : 3m ½f handicap chase (Class 5 0-100) OR100 soft 12 ran (Henry Brooke) - 4th (beaten 6l)

Waited with, took closer order 5th, travelling well and every chance 2 out, one pace

Chase debut for Nights In Venice following a wind op. He jumped very well and looked to be running a big race but possibly the lack of a recent outing told, as he didn't quicken over the last 2. Very encouraging nonetheless.

29 November 23 Kelso : 3m 2f handicap hurdle (Class 4 0-120) OR104 soft 7 ran (Brian Hughes) - 6th (beaten 15¾l)

Close up, tracked leaders from 5 out, effort approaching 2 out and every chance, weakened last

Nights In Venice looked short of finishing pace approaching the last but had travelled nicely prior to that.

28 October 23 Kelso : 3m 2f cond'l jockeys handicap hurdle (Class 4 0-110) OR105 soft 7 ran (Luke Scott) - 7th (beaten 16½l)

Held up, shaken up after 3 out but no impression upon leaders, weakened last

Change in tactics but didn't really suit Nights In Venice who is a relentless galloper, but he was carrying a fair amount of condition in the paddock beforehand so....... Anyway, he'll now be aimed at novice handicap chases.

15 April 23 Newcastle : 2m 7½f Cond Jockeys' hcdp hurdle (Class 5 0-100) OR102 heavy 7 ran (D Johnston(3)) - 2nd (btn hd)

Waited with in touch, mistake 4th, good hdwy to lead going well 3 out, jmpd left 2 out, headed run in, not quicken final 100 yds

Another very fine run by our gelding, another personal best but he lost momentum jumping awkwardly 2 out and it took him some time to pick up speed. He just couldn't quite regain the lead near the finish after being headed over the last. (That's our heavily edited view......)

26 March 23 Carlisle : 3m 1f handicap hurdle (Class 4 0-110) OR100 heavy 7 ran (H Brooke) - 2nd (beaten 2¼l)

In touch, led on bridle entering straight, ridden before last, headed run-in

This yet another race in recent days snatched from our grasp on the run-in. There are no words ......

14 February 23 Ayr : 3m ½f handicap hurdle (Class 4 0-115) OR98 good to soft 10 ran (Henry Brooke) - 3rd (beaten 7½l)

Close up, pushed along 3 out, kept on one pace, lost 2nd place run-in

Much better from the gelding, and he put his poor effort at Wetherby behind him. He's handily handicapped to record an initial success, which may come over fences. No shame in being beaten by Apple Away who looks a cut above this grade, with 19 lengths back to the 4th horse.

14 January 23 Wetherby : 3m handicap hurdle (Class 4 0-110) OR102 soft 8 ran (Craig Nichol) - 6th (beaten 51l)

In touch, took keen hold, driven leaving back straight, dropped away approaching 3 out where made mistake

This race came too soon after his effort at Kelso. Blame us!

29 December 22 Kelso : 2m 6½f handicap hurdle (Class 3 0-125) OR103 heavy 12 ran (Danny McMenamin) - 4th (beaten 14¼l)

Close up, led after usual 3 out, headed after usual 2 out, ridden and weakened flat

This was a much better effort from Nights In Venice, especially as he was up in class here. After the cold spell it did look like he needed the run.

29 November 22 Ayr : 2m 4½f handicap hurdle (Class 4 0-115) OR107 soft (good to soft places) 9 ran (H Brooke) - 7th (beaten 19¼l)

Disputed lead till jinked left appr 6th, recovered and remained prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out

This was Nights In Venice's seasonal debut and he was jumping quite well until halfway when he appeared to try to jink the wrong side of the rail approaching the 6th. Henry performed miracles to remain in the plate. Looked like he should come on for the run.

10 March 22 Carlisle : 3m 1f novices hurdle (Class 4) good to soft 6 ran (C Nichol) - 5th (beaten 9l)

Waited with in rear, in 4th and ridden after 3 out, kept on from 2 out but never able to challenge

This was a good race and Nights In Venice race with a fair deal of credit, showing slightly improved form from last time. Apart from diving at the second, his jumping was very good and wasn't knocked about unduly when his chance had gone. He'll be an exciting sort next season.

21 February 22 Carlisle : 2m 3½f novices hurdle (Class 4) soft 5 ran (C Nichol) - 4th (beaten 14l)

Chased leaders sitting 5 lengths down, ridden and outpaced 3 out, staying on when not fluent last, kept on flat

He's been working well at home but that last run wasn't so good and we suspect he's been throwing off the effects of a minor ailment. Anyway, against 3 quite useful winning novices, Nights In Venice jumped better off a good pace and stayed on pleasingly from 2 out. Needs to follow this up.

18 January 22 Newcastle : 2m 4½f Maiden hurdle (Class 4) good to soft 13 ran (Henry Brooke) - 9th (beaten 66½l)

Not fluent, mid division till lost touch from 4 out, well behind from 3 out

Nights In Venice jumped a bit big over the first few hurdles which meant he was playing catch up but anyway you look at it, this was a disappointment..

29 November 21 Ayr : 2m NH Flat Race (Class 4) good to soft 11 ran (T Gillard (5)) - 9th (beaten 13½l)

Tracked leader in disputing 2nd till ridden and outpaced 3f out, gradually lost touch with leaders, eased final furlong

Nights In Venice ran well enough here but couldn't match the pace of the race when the leaders set sail for home. Theo eased the gelding in the final furlong and he quickly showed no after effects of the race. He'll be schooled and sent novice hurdling in the New Year.

6 November 21 Kelso : 2m NH Flat Race (Class 4) soft 10 ran (Craig Nichol) - 2nd (beaten 14l)

Led till headed after 3f, remained close up, ran green passing stands and 4f out, rdn 2f out, stayed on well final furl into 2nd but no chance with winner

Nights In Venice ran a fine race here. He was prominent throughout and despite a couple of signs of inexperience, stayed on in fine fashion to come home in second place splitting a couple of highly regarded horses (Donny Boy, Rose of Siena). He clearly possesses bags of ability.

28 March 21 Carlisle : 2m 1f NH Flat Race (Class 5) soft 10 ran (Conor O'Farrell) - 9th (beaten 21l)

Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced, weakened final furlong

Nights In Venice is a nice type of gelding and even allowing for the very slow pace of this race which wouldn't have been to suit, this was a disappointing run.