Charbel on course for potential Listed cracker at Kempton

Kim Bailey is preparing to unleash two of his leading lights this weekend, with Charbel and Rocky's Treasure in line for assignments at Kempton and Warwick.

Charbel gained a deserved breakthrough success at Graded level in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last month and next on his agenda is the Listed 32Red Casino Chase at Kempton.

Charbel has been installed as the 2-1 favourite for the 2m4½f race, but it could prove to be very hot for the grade, with Waiting Patiently, Top Notch, Mister Whitaker and Black Corton among the potential opposition.

However Bailey is not shirking the challenge with the eight-year-old, and said on Tuesday: "I'm very happy with Charbel. He's fresh and well, the ground is good and it's another day's racing for him."

Stablemate Rocky's Treasure created a very good impression at Doncaster last time when running away with a Grade 2 novice chase, and the leading RSA contender has been given the option of stepping out of novice company at Warwick.

A winner of four of his five chase starts so far, only RSA favourite Santini has bested Rocky's Treasure this season and the eight-year-old could be upped in trip to 3m5f for the Grade 3 McCoy Contractors Civil Engineering Classic Handicap Chase.

However the Listed 3m novice chase earlier on the card is the more likely option. Bailey added: "I shall look at the two races closer to the time. He's more likely to go for the novice chase than the handicap, but that could change nearer the time.

"I've always said the further he goes the better he goes so that's why he's been entered [in the Classic Chase]."

Vinndication, unbeaten in six starts under rules including two chases, was trimmed for the JLT Novices' Chase following the news ante-post favourite Master Dino will miss the race due to injury.

The Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown, which had been mooted as a target for Master Dino following his victory at Plumpton last Sunday, is a potential destination for Vinndication, and Bailey said: "The Scilly Isles is still an option, and he'll possibly have an option of going to Haydock the weekend after next. I'm happy with him, he'll be ready to run whenever I want him."