Venitien De Mai and 'Wango' Moore leads home from Futuramic© Photo Healy Racing
The Ann and Alan Potts Partnership and Jim Dreaper had a result to savour when their horses Venitien De Mai and Goonyella filled the first two positions in the Grade B Woodlands 100 Club Leinster National Handicap Chase at Naas.
Handicap debutant Venitien De Mai may have lacked experience for an assignment like this on the racecourse proper, but he'd amassed plenty of that in his point-to-point days when he'd won four from four. Indeed the Potts' and Dreaper were on the mark this afternoon 'between the flags' at The Pigeons with Sizing Chile.
Today himself and Johnny 'Wango' Moore proved a match made in heaven, the Network gelding fencing with aplomb throughout on the front end.
Many still had a chance of getting to the well-supported 100/30 favourite up the straight, and Goonyella came again to chase the eventual victor from before the last.
Venitien De Mai wasn't for catching though, with a feather-weight on his back, and he gained the day by six lengths.
"He started off well in point-to-points but disappointed as a hurdler and didn't finish off his races. Maybe he just needs time," said Dreaper.
"He was a bit like me in that he eats everything but didn't show it. We sent off some of his hair for analysis and it showed up that he had a very compromised liver function which we were able to treat.
"That performance won't help the weight he gets for the Irish National but that is probably where he'll go now.
"I was delighted with Goonyella. I couldn't see him beating Venitien De Mai giving the guts of two stone. If we can arrange a wet week before the Grand National that would be great. He stays really well but is just short of pace."
The Stewards interviewed R.C. Colgan, rider of Futuramic concerning his use of the whip in this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(f), in that he used the whip with excessive frequency and having considered his record, suspended him for four race days.
(AM & EM)
