Trainer Kim Bailey believes Vinndication is capable of making the grade for next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Andoversford handler believes the seven-year-old has more than enough quality to compete against the very best staying chasers and he showcased that talent when finishing second to Cyrname in Saturday's Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.
The Moremoneythan-owned gelding still needs to take another step forward on official ratings before he can be considered for the Cheltenham Festival showpiece, but Bailey is confident he can make the required progression and that is the target over the coming months.
“I was delighted with his run at Wetherby,” Bailey was quoted as saying by Racing TV. “He slipped into the first fence, and it took a while to get his jumping back, but I was very happy with the horse.
“The ground wasn't ideal up there, because it was pretty soft, but it confirmed in my mind that he is good enough to run in a Gold Cup ? and I think we will be working back from that.”
Bailey, who trained Master Oats to Gold Cup glory in 1995, has also indicated that Vinndication could return to handicap company for his next race, with the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury later this month being lined up as a possibility for bettors.
“He is in the Ladbrokes Trophy, and that could be an option, but I'm not saying he is going there for definite. It will be interesting to see how the handicapper assesses it,” Bailey added.
