Two for Bailey in Ladbrokes Trophy but trainer won't confirm pair till next week

In Kevin Keegan style, Kim Bailey would "love it" if the Ladbrokes Trophy found its way on to his CV next week, but the trainer on Tuesday warned Vinndication and Two For Gold – leading challengers for Newbury's biggest jumps race – were not confirmed runners.

Bailey, whose distinguished career includes victories in the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle, has not had a runner in the race that used to be known as the Hennessy Gold Cup since Betty's Boy finished sixth in 1999, but he would have two likely sorts for the £200,000 contest in Vinndication, second to Cyrname in the Charlie Hall last time, and Two For Gold, a second-season novice with Grade 2-winning form.

The trainer had just seen Vinndication, an 8-1 shot with the sponsors for the Ladbrokes Trophy, school at Newbury on Tuesday morning and said: "I shall not make a decision until next week. I wanted to school him here today because when I brought him two years ago he wasn't very good and he was very fresh today.

"He was squealing down the back and not concentrating, which is half his problem. I was desperate to get a school in today to see how he reacted. We'll school him at home again and then make a decision where we go.

"If all goes according to plan, it's more than likely we'll see him here."

A Listed handicap chase at Ascot on December 19 and the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase would be alternatives for the talented seven-year-old, whose stablemate Two For Gold is 9-1 with Ladbrokes for the prestigious contest.

Vinndication (right) pings a fence alongside stablemate NewtideCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I haven't made a decision where he goes and need to speak to the owners over the weekend, but he'll have an entry in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle next week as well," Bailey added.

"It'd be a big ask for him to go from two-miles-three at Wetherby to three-and-a-quarter here. He'd fit the profile, but it'd be nice if he was a year older – it's 50-50 at the moment.

"I'm not averse to having two runners in the Ladbrokes Trophy, but it'd be nice not to."

Vinndication was among a host of horses on show at Newbury and they included Kildisart and La Bague Au Roi, who were the subject of particularly positive words from trainers Ben Pauling and Warren Greatrex, although the latter's case came with the caveat that the better the ground the better her claims.

Ladbrokes Trophy entries and betting

More to read:

'I don't know how a horse can improve that much' - El Presente stuns Kim Bailey

Tom Segal says last year's RSA is the key to unlock Tote Ten to Follow glory

Ladbrokes Trophy favourite Topofthegame ruled out for another season

Look back on a year like no other with the Racing Post Annual 2021, the perfect gift for every racing fan. Only £14.99, our 224-page review of the year - illustrated with stunning pictures - features all the best moments from an incredible 12 months. Order your copy here