Nights In Venice on seasonal debut at Wetherby (Saturday)

Wetherby 7th December : 1:23 pm 3m 0-110 Handicap Chase (Class 4)

Well, there is a precautionary inspection tomorrow morning (7 am) but should the standing water have seeped into the turf, then racing will go ahead at Wetherby.
So, soft going but there may still be good to soft patches. 11 scheduled to go to post.

And making a return is our handicap chaser Nights In Venice, with Conor O'Farrell booked to ride.
He wasn't quite able to build upon his victory over 3 miles (heavy) at Ayr in February earlier this year and may have been over the top when 3rd at Newcastle in April. We hope he does still possess that competitive spirit but he will probably need this run after an 8 month lay off. A watching brief today.

Ali Star Bert was back to form last time when a 3l runner up at Southwell last month and was a course & distance here last season. Probably exposed though, and may be vulnerable to improving types but should run his race and be in the first 4.
One of these younger types here is Lucinda's Wal Buck's. This 5yr old by Buck's Boum out of a Walk In The Park mare is having only his 3rd outing over fences, and has plenty of scope for improvement.
He ran well at the beginning of November when 3rd at Ayr beaten less then 5l to Pats Dream (rec 19lb), who has won again since off a 7lb higher mark.

However, 'the one to beat mantra' surrounding Wal's Buck might just be the target that Latehightrumble is seeking.
Trained in Warwickshire by former Point-to-Point maestro Tom Ellis, this 7yr old is a half brother to a couple of winning chasers and has been readied by a couple of recent runs in novice hurdles. Still a maiden Under Rules but a multiple point winner, he also finished 2nd in a Cheltenham hunter chase in May and 3 miles on soft ground should present optimum conditions for the home-bred Sulamani gelding.
A 'live' one.

Nights In Venice