Trophy hope as Bailey aims to fill big gap in his CV
KIM Bailey believes Vinndication is capable of filling a glaring omission on his CV by giving him a first victory in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on Saturday.
The Andoversford handler hinted the Grade Three prize is likely to be the next target for the eight-year-old - who found only Cyrname too strong on his return in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby.
Having won a Grand National, Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle, Bailey has only placed in the Grade Three heat - with Mr Frisk and Docklands Express finishing third in 1989 and 1991 respectively.
Bailey said: “I think if all things go to plan next week, you are more likely to see him there. He is an out-and-out stayer, so three and a quarter miles is no problem.
“I’ve yet to win it. It’s a lovely race to win and it would be great on my CV.”
Although Vinndication was not foot perfect in a schooling session alongside Grade Two-winning stablemate Newtide at Newbury, Bailey believes it will have taken some of the freshness out of him and sharpened him up.
Bailey could also be represented in the race by Two For Gold, who has the option of Newcastle’s Listed Betfair Rehearsal Chase on the same day.
He said: “I would think it is 50/50 he runs. When we make the entry for the Rehearsal Chase, we will see the two races and see where we are.”
Slad-based Tom George believes Grade One-winning hurdler Black Op will have no issues racing beyond three miles for the first time in the handicap feature.
George said: “He had a nice run up at Carlisle in an intermediate chase there.
“He wasn’t ready that day - that would have put him spot on hopefully.
“He won’t have any problems with the trip. He loves a big, flat track.
“He has got a good weight, and this has been the plan for quite a while.
“He hasn’t done that much chasing for an older horse, but he seems to be going the right way.”
Ben Pauling is confident he has Kildisart, another in action at the gallops event, exactly where he wants him on his return to fences - having finished third in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby on his reappearance.
“We went to Wetherby as a bit of a prep race - and he ran a mighty race, to be honest, against some good hurdlers,” said Bourton trainer Pauling.
“He will come on for that run, and he came out of the race very well. It was nice to see him just stride on today.
“He was very relaxed - and Holly (Osborne), who rides him every day, said when he got upsides, he just locked on. That was job done for him.
“He does seem to be getting better with age. I think he is in as good a place as he can be to come here and give it his all.”