Turf Talk: Vinndication eyes second start over fences '“ but only if there's cut in the ground

The Kim Bailey-trained five-year-old won a Ludlow bumper and each of his three starts over hurdles last season, completing his hat-trick in the Listed Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon in February.

After sidestepping the spring festivals, Vinndication made his chasing debut at Carlisle earlier this month and maintained his unbeaten record with an accomplished display.

Bailey is keen to step his charge up in class – but only when there is some cut in the ground. He said: “We are just waiting for the soft ground with him and he won’t be running until we get it.

“We were lucky at Carlisle that it rained and that is the ground he wants. I’m not going to rush him as he is only a baby. The Grade Two race at Ascot just before Christmas is a race that I would be interested in. That is very much a possibility.”

n White Moon is set for a confidence-booster before being stepped back up in class by Colin Tizzard.

The grey was in the process of making a pleasing debut over fences at Cheltenham when he fell at the last on the heels of the leaders. Connections will look for an easier opportunity next time before raising his sights.

Owner Garth Broom said: “They said he recovered very quickly so I’m hoping it didn’t dent his confidence as he didn’t deserve to fall.

“He found himself behind a wall of horses and he just jumped into them – everyone seems to think he would have won.

“He did get outpaced slightly coming down the hill, but he was just starting to pick up. When he won his two hurdle races he really opened up in the home straight. We feel after that he can compete at a high level, but at the same time we’ll probably look for a confidence-booster for him somewhere.”