Carlisle Date For Villon

Len Lungo´s Villon is set to have his second outing over fences when tackling the totescoop6 Novices´ Chase at Carlisle on January 14.

The crack seven-year-old scored by six lengths from subsequent winner Roman Ark at Uttoxeter last month and is likely to head to the Cumbrian venue in preference to an alternative engagement at Newcastle on Monday.

'I hope to run him next week and he likes it soft and although Newcastle should have some cut in the ground, there is some good money on offer at Carlisle,' said Lungo.

Lungo reiterated his comments after the Uttoxeter win that ground conditions are likely to prevent Villon from travelling to the Cheltenham Festival.

He added: 'The owner is of the opinion that you are more likely than unlikely to get faster conditions there in March and I agree 100 per cent.'

Another horse Lungo is set to run at Carlisle is Paddy The Piper, who will be returning from a break.

The nine-year-old was last seen finishing sixth at Aintree in November, and Lungo added: 'There is absolutely nothing wrong with him, it is just that he doesn´t like the heavy.

'The way the programme falls for a horse rated as highly as him you don´t get many opportunities and suddenly find you haven´t run for ages.

'Like Villon we are not really thinking about Cheltenham for Paddy The Piper. I don´t want to run him on the heavy, but we need to find a race and even if it is soft I will probably let him take his chance at Carlisle.'

Brooklyn Breeze could attempt three miles in the near future and if proving his stamina, would then be aimed at the Racing Post Chase.

'The horse seems as well as ever and it is a shame that the Racing Post Chase is at Sandown, as Kempton is a nice flat easy track which would have given him every chance of getting the trip,' said Lungo.

'That said, I shall still look to run him at Sandown because long term we want him to go for the three-mile handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival.'

? PA Sport