Another Venture looks worth an each-way punt at 8/1 with Unibet in the 3m 2f handicap chase on the New Year’s Day card at Cheltenham (12:50).
Trained by Kim Bailey, this nine-year-old has posted improved efforts since being fitted with a visor.
He has a win and place from three starts with that headgear on and two career victories over 3m 1f.
That suggests the trip of this should suit. Another Venture won back-to-back handicap chase contests at Chepstow and Hereford in January 2018, before running a fine third to Ascot specialist Regal Encore in the Listed 3m Keltbray Swinley Chase.
The winner has since come a fine seventh in the Grand National off 2lb higher and landed the Silver Cup at his favourite venue.
Minella Daddy, the runner-up, has landed a couple of handicaps at Haydock and Aintree, so the form isn’t too shabby.
It was thus a fine run from Another Venture from 1lb out of the weights. He also posted an improved effort in Welsh Grand National Trial at Chepstow this season compared to last.
Why Another Venture appeals each-way
In 2018, he only ran fifth to Ramses De Teillee – twice a subsequent runner-up in Grade 3 staying handicap chases – but chased Acting Lass home this year off 1lb lower.
Another Venture made an error two out, but still stuck to the task well and went down by half-a-length.
That was his third run in a visor and when Bailey reached for it the first time, he landed a handicap chase at Plumpton in March of last year.
This son of Stowaway made all and, although his jockey lost an iron two out, he still stayed on well to beat Morney Wing by 3 3/4 lengths off level weights.
The runner-up had previously landed the London National at Sandown and run a fine third off 8lb higher in the Eider Chase at Newcastle.
Although the assessor has put Another Venture up 3lb for his second in the Welsh National Trial, Bailey now books conditional jockey Chester Williams to do the steering.
He takes 5lb off with his claim, offsetting the rise in this horse’s rating. Taking all that into account, this gelding looks worth an each-way punt to kick off the New Year.
Bet of the Day: 8/1 with Unibet, Another Venture each-way in the 3m 2f handicap chase at Cheltenham.
