Kim Bailey anticipates gaining a clearer picture of Chianti Classico’s season objectives after the seven-year-old competes in Friday’s feature race at Cheltenham.
The Cheltenham Festival winner, victorious in last season’s Ultima Handicap Chase, showcased further improvement when claiming the Sodexo Gold Cup at Ascot in November. While originally slated for last weekend’s Becher Chase at Aintree, the race’s cancellation due to high winds prompted a switch to the Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Chase at Prestbury Park.
Bailey expressed mixed emotions about the unexpected change:
“The plan was Aintree, so this is a fallback. But he’s going into a strong race as favourite,” Bailey told Sky Sports Racing. “Ciaran Gethings schooled him this morning and, although it’s his first time riding the horse, I’m confident they’ll pair well.”
Currently, rated 157, Chianti Classico remains a leading Grand National contender. However, Bailey hinted that a victory on Friday could propel him toward Grade One territory, possibly entering Cheltenham Gold Cup discussions.
“If he wins on Friday, we’ll start considering Grade One races like the Denman or Cotswold Chase. But if he’s beaten, the Grand National becomes his primary target,” Bailey explained. “It’s a big day for him. We’ll learn a lot.”
Stable Stalwart Does He Know Heads to Doncaster
Bailey’s weekend also features Does He Know contesting the bet365 Handicap Chase at Doncaster on Saturday. The nine-year-old, a Grimthorpe Chase winner last season, has delivered solid performances this autumn with two fourth-place finishes at Cheltenham.
“He’s a classic old-fashioned chaser who gets better with age,” Bailey remarked. “His recent runs were impressive, though he probably didn’t quite see out the trip last time. He’s incredibly versatile with ground conditions and remains a reliable performer.”
Trelawne Eyes Next Steps After Haydock Triumph
Bailey also provided an update on Trelawne, who beat the high-class Iroko at Haydock last month. The trainer is eyeing Ascot’s Silver Cup next weekend, pending suitable ground conditions.
“He worked well this morning, and we’re aiming for Ascot if the ground is soft enough. If not, we’ll need to reroute,” Bailey said. “A step up to three miles is next, but the Welsh National may be too far for him at this stage.”
With a trio of promising runners, Bailey is gearing up for a pivotal weekend to shape the paths of his stable stars.