Kim Bailey’s Plans Hit by Dry Weather

The unusually dry weather has disrupted Kim Bailey's preparations for Trelawne's anticipated run in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on November 30. The Grand National-winning trainer, frustrated by the lack of rain, described the situation as a nightmare for jumps trainers. Trelawne was initially set to compete in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle on November 3, but those plans were scrapped after Carlisle’s course had to be watered.

Instead, Bailey now aims to begin Trelawne's season at Haydock on November 23, only a week before the Coral Gold Cup. Bailey accentuated that Trelawne performs best on soft ground, explaining that Carlisle’s watered track wasn't suitable for the eight-year-old. With fingers crossed for rain, he hopes conditions at Haydock’s Betfair Chase weekend will be favourable.

Trelawne hasn’t raced since a fall at the second fence in March’s Ultima at Cheltenham. Bailey shared that while Trelawne was sore after the mishap, he is now in excellent shape and eager for a comeback. However, Bailey prefers giving him a warm-up race in a graduation chase rather than entering him directly in a major handicap after such a long break.

Chianti Classico, another of Bailey’s horses, will also miss Newbury’s big race. The Ultima winner from last season is still recovering from his victorious return in the Sodexo Gold Cup at Ascot earlier this month. Bailey remarked that Chianti Classico had a tough run at Ascot, and although he’s progressing, patience is necessary before making future plans.

Bailey hinted that the Becher Chase might be an option for Chianti Classico but remains undecided, stressing that the horse’s readiness will dictate their next steps. Meanwhile, Bailey looks forward to officially bringing his longtime assistant, Mat Nicholls, onto the training license at Thorndale Farm.