NAP of the Day: Venetia & Deutsch can be the heroes – again

Hopefully Plumpton passes an inspection on Monday morning, because I’ve got extremely high hopes for one set to run at the East Sussex venue.

It’s Venetia season – and everything she runs ought to be treated with maximum respect.

The Hereford-handler is operating at a 25% strike rate over the last couple of weeks with eight winners – including Royale Pagaille’s triumph in the Betfair Chase – from 32 runners. Stable jockey Charlie Deutsch isn’t doing too badly either, riding nine of his last 31 to victory (29% strike rate).

With that in mind, Heros must have an outstanding chance of winning at Plumpton on Monday afternoon.

The French import, who fetched €55,000 back in November 2021, performed modestly in handicap hurdles last season but, as is always the case with this yard, chasing was always going to be his game.

That certainly looked the case at Taunton last month, when the selection made a winning debut over the bigger obstacles. I thought he won with plenty in hand and therefore a six-pound rise in the handicap appears manageable.

If the meeting goes ahead, it’s going to be very testing conditions, which should be no bother for this individual based on his form across The Channel and the typical traits of those under Williams’ care.

As for the other runners in this 0-110 novices’ handicap chase, I respect Scene One who may also be ahead of the handicapper, but otherwise I make it a weak event which shouldn’t take much winning if the selection does indeed have as much in hand as I believe.

Heros is Venetia and Deutsch’s only runner/ride on Monday. Google tells me it’s a 177-mile, almost four-hour journey from Aramstone Stables to Plumpton racecourse. Interesting…