Nights In Venice on a (late) Monday afternoon at Carlisle
Carlisle 3rd February : 4.00 pm 3m ½f 0-105 Handicap Chase (Class 5)
Well, while he never looked like making any impression on the
leaders, So Many Roads
made a pleasing chase debut for connections at Wetherby on Saturday. A
lovely track, Wetherby can be on the sharp side especially for chasing
types like our gelding but after a steady round of jumping on the first
circuit, So Many Roads did have a cut at the jumping over the last
couple of fences.
He finished well (4th) over a trip short of his best (2m 3f) and should
be seen to greater effect over something approaching 3 miles next time.
So, Carlisle on a Monday afternoon.
Nights In Venice returns after a couple of months absence in this handicap chase over 3 miles. Although his best form over hurdles came mostly at this trip, we've thought he has been better suited by 2m 4f over fences. So we'll see, but he may well need this race anyhow.
15 runners here, in the main from Scotland - just where would we be without our own land - and at the head of the market may be Kinneston Nick's Travail D'Orfevre who won over 3 miles at Ayr recently. Just up 2lb for that but the handicapper has clearly taken that his winning mark of OR102 last time has proved his ceiling thus far in his career. But that was his first try at this distance so may have more than normal improvement for a 9 yr old.
Stuart & Sam run their quadruple winning chaser Breeze of Wind but he has been beaten off OR107 in each of the last four outings. But he's run very well in at least three of those and comes into this 2lb lighter. Should be there at the finish.
Similarly, Lucinda's Torosay was a nice progressive chaser last season, and has had a pipe opener here a couple of months ago. Another one likely to be in the mix turning for home up the finishing hill.
Ewan has booked Brian Hughes for the seemingly outsider Pitempton Power. Like his dad Brother Ali, this young man runs a shrewd operation (we assume the money will be part of a bank transfer, nephew) so watch out for any telling market moves from his current 33-1 market price.
Best of luck to Nights In Venice, his connections and Craig Nichol in the saddle.
Nights In Venice (#1) in action over hurdles
