Sunday at Carlisle with Nights In Venice

This season has been a bit of stop-start affair for Nights In Venice as we feel we've finally got him fit enough to do himself justice a couple of times, only for another minor niggle or sniffle to crop up.
So, onto Carlisle on Sunday and a Class 4 3m 1f handicap hurdle, with advanced going of heavy/soft in places.

8 runners and several in-form opponents to boot. Sadler's Bay tackles 3 miles plus for the first time but in his recent 4th place at Market Rasen over 2½ miles, he shaped as this trip would suit. Acts on soft too. Shantou Moon hasn't run as well on soft/heavy as on a sounder surface but he followed up a win at Kelso (2m 6½f) with a creditable 4th at Ayr last time over 3 miles.
Probably the horse with the best form is the quietly progressive Piaff Bubbles, who stays this trip and act on soft/heavy. The likely favourie and the obvious one to beat.

Nights In Venice usually likes to race prominently but he's not the quickest of jumpers but on this heavy ground that may be less of an impediment. At Ayr last time he finished upsides Jet Legs (winner twice since) when they were behind subsequent Listed Hurdle winner Apple Away. That collateral form gives up a fair amount of hope for this race.

Henry Brooke again rides and good luck to all connections.

Nights In Venice (Laura)