Bailey ace Vinndication 'more or less certain' to take up Ladbrokes Trophy entry

Supporters of leading Ladbrokes Trophy contender Vinndication received a boost on Monday when Kim Bailey confirmed his likely participation in Saturday's historic handicap, but those who fancy stablemate Two For Gold face an anxious few days before the trainer decides if he will line up.

His yard could hardly be in better form and will seek to make it two sweet Saturdays on the spin after the impressive Imperial Aura captured the Grade 2 1965 Chase at Ascot, where First Flow also struck.

Bailey's distinguished career does not include success in Newbury's biggest jumps race, which used to be known as the Hennessy Gold Cup, although his 1990 Grand National hero Mr Frisk twice finished third in it.

In Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup dark horse Vinndication, Bailey, who has not had a runner in the £200,000 event since Betty's Boy finished sixth in 1999, has a live chance following the talented seven-year-old's fine second to the high-class Cyrname in Wetherby's Charlie Hall Chase last month.

Owned by the Moremoneythan group, he is 8-1 with the sponsors, while Two For Gold, who also has the option of Newcastle's Betfair Exchange Rehearsal Handicap Chase on Saturday, is the same price.

"I've left the two in and will make a final decision on Thursday, but Vinndication is more or less certain," said Bailey, who last week floated a Listed handicap chase at Ascot on December 19 and the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase as possible alternativesfor the seven-time winner.

"He was so fresh schooling at Newbury last week, but that's him and I'm not the least bit concerned about it. He'd been to Newbury before and did exactly the same and then proceeded to run an absolute screamer, so I'm relaxed.

"He's going to carry top weight or near top weight by 1lb and he's not necessarily suited by a King George, but if he is a King George horse he has to win a Ladbrokes Trophy off this weight. If he's not good enough, he'll spend his time in handicaps, but I think he'll get the trip and I'm happy with him. He's in a good place."

Kim Bailey: trainer enjoyed two winners at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

As for Two For Gold, a Grade 2-winning novice at Warwick last season who runs in the colours of the May We Never Be Found Out Partnership 2, Bailey added: "A lot will depend on the ground and what the races look like. I looked first thing this morning and there were an awful lot of entries at Newcastle.

"It's a really difficult one and I'm not 100 per cent sure Two For Gold is an out-and-out stayer. He's won over three miles, but it was an easy three miles at Warwick, which would be a slightly different ball game to the Ladbrokes Trophy, although if it's good ground at Newbury it would make the job slightly easier from the horse's point of view."

Rehearsal Handicap Chase card and betting

Bailey saddled 32 winners last term and has already equalled that tally this season after Ajero won at Kempton on Monday.

"The horses are in good form and healthy and we've got to keep going while we can," he said.

Aye Right and The Conditional head the Ladbrokes Trophy betting at 7-1, but plenty have hopes.

Ladbrokes spokesman Jon Lees said: "This year's Ladbrokes Trophy is shaping up to be a wide-open contest, at least from a betting point of view. We now have Aye Right and last year's runner-up The Conditional as the 7-1 joint-favourites, and another six horses priced between 8-1 and 10-1. There will be all to play for when the field lines up at 3.00 at Newbury on Saturday."

Ladbrokes Trophy Chase
Sponsors bet: 7 Aye Right, The Conditional, 8 Black Op, Copperhead, Two For Gold, Vinndication, 9 Kildisart, 10 Sam Brown, 12 Cloth Cap, Secret Investor, 16 bar

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