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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Venitien gets off the mark over fences

Wed 3rd Feb 2016, 15:51

Venitien De Mai leads Futuramic over the lastVenitien De Mai leads Futuramic over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Venitien De Mai powered clear in the closing stages to get off the mark over fences at the third time of asking in the Rodney Watson Memorial Beginners Chase at Down Royal.

The well-backed 11/8 favourite (2/1 in morning) was produced to challenge three from home by Jamie Codd and got the better of market rival Futuramic jumping the last.

Jim Dreaper 's charge asserted in the closing stages to record a three-and-a-half length success in the colours of Ann and Alan Potts.

The winner had been third on his last visit to the course on St Stephen's Day.

"He's very consistent and he deserved one. He has been knocking on the door all the time,” said Dreaper.

"He looked like he would stay so we might go three miles.

"He is naturally a good jumper but it was that deep there that it looked like he was reaching for them. He wanted to do it though, that's the main thing."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.