Nights In Venice runs in the bumper at Kelso (Saturday)

An unusual bumper for the time of season........most horses have a bit of form to their name including two previous winners.

Just Paddy's Band and Solway Molly are the two winners in the field but it is quite difficult to carry the 7lb into the next bumper and both horses have been beaten since. They will no doubt run up to their form but may find one or two better on the day.

Top of the list in that respect is Kinneston's Nick Irish Point winner, and Rules debutant, Donny Boy. A Westerner full brother to bumper /hurdle winner Ebony Jewel (for the same connections), he also has several bumper winners close up in his pedigree. And his credentials don't stop there for his Irish Point that he won contained future bumper winner Johnny Cigar in 4th and the runner up was Barony Legend who recorded an RPR of 135 when winning a maiden hurdle for Olly Murphy a few days ago. Very hard to beat.

Also in the reckoning is Nicky's Califet filly Rose of Siena, who was favourite for Jimmy's Jet's bumper last week when withdrawn due to ground conditions. Clearly rated by the yard who've had a couple of bumper winners this season already from just a handful of runners.

George Bewley's Star Vantage was a big price but run a very nice race a few weeks ago to finish runner up on debut at Sedgefield. Expected improvement would see this gelding, from the family of high class chaser Ad Hoc in the mix for a place.

Tip Top Tonto represents Rebecca's Durham yard who had a bumper winner a week ago at Musselburgh. Couple of nice runs already and further improvement is not out of the question.

So, a fairly hot bumper!
Our lad, Nights In Venice has done well physically over the summer and has been working quite well in the mornings. A tall, lengthy sort by Midnight Legend he does look the type to improve for middle distance hurdling / chasing.
He's had one run at the tail end of last season in a bumper, we did expect a bit more that day (9th of 10) but, well, we'll see how he goes here.
Craig Nichol is in the saddle, best of luck!

Nights In Venice (Connor) from an early season gallop