Chianti Classico: Kim Bailey says Cheltenham race on Friday will decide course for Gold Cup or Grand Nationwide | Racing Information

Kim Bailey hopes to have a clearer thought of ​​the route the Chianti Classico will take for the rest of this season after lining up for the primary occasion at Cheltenham on Friday.

A Cheltenham Pageant winner in final season’s Ultima Handicap Chase, the seven-year-old regarded to have improved additional throughout his profitable reappearance within the Sodexo Gold Cup at Ascot in November.

The Chianti Classico was attributable to tackle the Grand Nationwide fences for the primary time in final weekend’s Becher Chase, however with the Aintree fixture deserted attributable to excessive winds, he was changed by the Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Quickly Handicap Chase at Prestbury Park.

“It has been very irritating. The entire plan was to go to Aintree final weekend, so it is a bit of a fallback scenario, however he’ll begin favourite for an honest race,” Bailey stated. Air sports activities races Wednesday.

“Ciaran [Gethings] I schooled him this morning. He’s by no means ridden a horse earlier than immediately and he’ll get alongside very effectively with him, I’m certain.”

Bailey sees the Chianti Classico as a real Grand Nationwide contender at this stage, however it’s not inconceivable that he may nonetheless compete within the Cheltenham Gold Cup if he can surpass his revised score of 157.

“We have been fairly hoping he would have the chance to go to Aintree final weekend to search out out if he would deal with the observe. I’ve little doubt he would not, however from our viewpoint it might have been fairly troublesome. It is good to see how he dealt with the scenario,” he added.

“I stated after his victory at Cheltenham that he was a great horse for the Grand Nationwide and I nonetheless imagine he’s. The issue is that if he wins on Friday he’ll transfer up in handicap once more. He’s twelfth and he’s not the best horse on this planet.

“He nonetheless has 8 or 9 kilos to go earlier than he turns into a Grade 1 horse, so we’ll study loads on Friday. If he’s overwhelmed on Friday, the Grand Nationwide can be his primary aim, if he can win. We will begin enthusiastic about different days.

“You’ve got received the Denman Chase and the Cotswold Chase. It is a huge day for him on Friday.”

Doncaster launch on the playing cards for Does He Know

It guarantees to be an enormous weekend for the Andoversford handler, with steady prop Does He Know heading north to contest the bet365 Handicap Chase at Doncaster on Saturday.

The nine-year-old completed fourth at Cheltenham twice in the course of the autumn and Bailey is keen to return him to a observe the place he gained the Grimthorpe Chase final season.

He added: “Does he know he is in place. Ciaran Gethings rode him this morning and skilled him and it went rather well, so he is on observe to SATURDAY.

“He is undoubtedly an old style chaser kind as a result of he appears to get higher with age. His two races this season have been excellent – he hasn’t carried out something flawed.

“Final time he most likely did not make the journey. I do know he had already carried out three and 1 / 4 miles at Cheltenham, nevertheless it was on fairly quick floor and doubtless wasn’t the best race of the world.

“It is extremely versatile [ground-wise]. He isn’t the tallest and he is an eccentric particular person, however he is so proficient.

“I’m actually pleased with him and he’s been an actual gem for us.”

Ascot on Trelawne’s agenda

Bailey additionally offered an replace on the plans for Trelawne, who received the higher of the high-class Iroko on his seasonal debut at Haydock final month.

“He labored this morning, I used to be very pleased with him and if the bottom is delicate sufficient he’ll most likely go to Ascot [Silver Cup] subsequent weekend,” the coach stated.

“The Welsh Grand Nationwide is an enormous step ahead – he is but to go three miles over obstacles. To get again from the place he was the opposite day at over two and a half hours, I would wish to go three miles subsequent time if I can do it, which most likely means the Welsh Nationwide [three miles and five furlongs] turns into a troublesome choice.

“I am barely anxious if we have now dry climate the bottom may be slightly too quick for him at Ascot so we would have to vary the route and see the place we’re.”