Venetian on the mark for Davis The Sean Davis-trained Venetian made it third time lucky at Dundalk this autumn when running out a decisive winner of the seven furlong handicap. Paddy Harnett had his mount to the fore throughout and the 9/1 shot kicked on over a furlong from home. The Awtaad gelding kept on strongly in the closing stages to post a two-and-a-half lengths win over Sierra De Gredos. “He thoroughly deserved that, he’s a consistent horse,” said Davis. “He didn’t stay a mile-and-a-quarter here, I got it wrong running him over that trip. We came back to a mile last time and I thought I wouldn’t be beaten on him to be honest. “I'm starting to think how did I manage to get him beat looking at him winning tonight! “The handicapper put us out of the 0-60 and this was here for him. I wondered about coming back to seven as I hadn’t seen him winning over that trip on past form. “I just thought the way he had been travelling, and he hadn’t been seeing out the last furlong, that if we came back to seven we might see him to the same effect and we did. “I’m thrilled for the horse, for Peter who looks after him and Sinéad (O’Scanaill) my partner owns him so it’s a brilliant win. “Paddy had a plan, he wanted to make the running. I said from his gate that he either had to go or take his time. Fair play to him he made the right call and gave him a peach of a ride. He’s a lovely rider and I was delighted to use him.”
