Venetian scores on second start for Denis Hogan A four-time previous winner, Venetian was back in the number one spot on his second start for Denis Hogan when running out a comfortable victor of the BAR 1 Betting NEW APP OUT NOW Handicap at Dundalk. Bought out of a claimer at the track in December, the gelding finished mid-division on his first run for Hogan later that same month. Fitted with first-time cheekpieces here, Venetian was soon at the head of affairs under apprentice Reese Holohan. Pushed along early in the straight, the 7/1 chance stayed on strongly inside the final furlong to score by two-and-three-quarter lengths. Owner James McAuley said: "We just said we would try something different for him. Changed something around, a kick in the belly, and let him roll forward. "I'm not sure what his mark used to be, but when he went up the 10lb when with Sean (Davis) - who had done well with him, he was consistent for Sean - I wasn't sure whether that was too much. "We took one off Denis before, Tawaazon, and he just has that shape. We said we might just give him a kick and if we need to drop back in trip, we can give it a go. "He was disappointing before Christmas in a good race, but I'd say Denis freshened a lot of his up over Christmas. "That kid (Holohan) is robbing a claim! He's a fine apprentice." Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
