Irish option for Vinndication after Cheltenham swerve

Vinndication may target a race at the Punchestown Festival after connections decided against an appearance at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Kim Bailey-trained six-year-old finished third in a Grade One race at Sandown in February the disappointed in a racecourse gallop at Newbury.

As such, Bailey has decided the Cheltenham Festival is no longer on the agenda for Vinndication and is considering other targets.

“You can't take a horse to Cheltenham which is not 100 per cent,” Bailey said, as reported by Sky Sports.

“David Bass rode him yesterday morning and was perfectly happy with him, but he didn't go how I wanted him to go at Newbury on Sunday and that confirmed we would not go to Cheltenham.

“I don't think his season his over and we will look at Punchestown and other places for him to run.

“He can run over two and a half or three miles, so I am pretty sure we can find a race for him.”