grand
national 2005 / news/
Carter planning National bid
17/11/04
 Oliver
Carter is planning a crack at the John Smith's Grand National with Venn
Ottery next April.
The nine-year-old is back with Carter despite spending the majority of
last season with Paul Nicholls after the Ditcheat handler personally
asked whether he could look after the gelding.
Venn Ottery became one of the success stories of last season after Nicholls
took over, losing his maiden tag in February before going on to notch
up three more victories as well as shattering the two-mile track record
at Ludlow.
Carter reports Venn Ottery to be in fine heart ahead of a planned start
in point-to-points in January but the octogenarian owner-breeder is not
sure if he will return the horse to Nicholls' care this season.
"
He is excellent," said Carter. "He is in by night and out by
day. He had a wind operation and I thought I would give him a holiday.
"
I will give him three runs in point-to-points from January to February,
perhaps a hunter chase in February, and then he will go for the Gold
Cup and the Grand National.
"
I think that if Mr Nicholls comes back and asks for the horse, I will
think about it," he added.
"
However, my family, and particularly my grand-daughter are keen for us
to do it ourselves this time, so we will do our best, but if Mr Nicholls,
or perhaps Mr Pipe asks for the horse, we will see!"
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