'I've got so much faith in him' - Bass reveals Cheltenham plan for Vinndication

Vinndication will get the chance at Cheltenham next week to emulate the mighty Big Buck's and his jockey David Bass is growing in confidence his mount can upset the big guns in Thursday's Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle.

The Kim Bailey-trained eight-year-old is also entered in the WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup, but he is unbeaten over hurdles and will have his first outing over timber for more than three years in the day-three highlight, for which he is a top-priced 9-1.

The switch from fences is a result of his unseat in the Ladbrokes Trophy. It was a last-fence mishap in that same race (then the Hennessy Gold Cup) that rerouted Big Buck's back to hurdles, where he gained immortaility with four wins in the Stayers' Hurdle between 2009 and 2012.

Stayers' Hurdle card and betting

Vinndication was still going well when unseating at the cross fence at Newbury in November when he was the 15-2 joint-favourite and Bass, speaking on a video call organised by Great British Racing to promote the festival, said: "People are probably bored with me banging on how good he is and I've got so much faith in him. I think he's very good, but he's been fragile to train and had his issues.

"Last year I thought he was a certainty in the Ultima, but he hadn't run since November and we couldn't get a racecourse gallop into him and he just got tired and finished fourth. This year, we've managed to get a racecourse gallop into him,

"He hadn't run since the Ladbrokes Trophy and, as far as the hurdling option, we just thought physically he was finding it hard over fences; he all but fell at Newbury.

"We thought we'd give him a school over hurdles and he seemed to really enjoy it. He's the type of horse who could run well in a Stayers' Hurdle. He races behind the bridle and that track will suit him as well."

Sam Thomas after unseating from Big Buck's in the 2008 HennessyCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Bailey yard also runs Younevercall in the race and Bass is taking heart from his fourth to Stayers' Hurdle favourite Paisley Park in Ascot's Long Walk Hurdle before Christmas.

"It's a cracking race and we've also Younevercall, who finished fourth in the Long Walk," the rider added. "He wasn't beaten that far and we've got a bit of a line through him. There wouldn't be a lot between Younevercall and Vinndication, but we feel we can run to a decent level against those horses and I hope Vinndication can prove to everyone how good he is."

Thursday could be a red-letter day at Cheltenham for Bass, who also partners Imperial Aura in the Ryanair Chase.

The 32-year-old reckons the winner of what turned out to be the last running of the novice handicap chase at last year's meeting is his best chance of the week, despite their partnership coming to a premature end at Kempton in January.

"I hate making excuses and the horse made a mistake and I unseated, but I'm convinced he was spooked," Bass continued.

Imperial Aura: impressive at the festival 12 months agoCredit: Edward Whitaker

"There was quite a shadow from the fences that day and there was a shadow on the wing of the fence on the inside, which I'm convinced he was looking at. He jumped quite badly to his left at the first fence as well and he hadn't done that that badly before. He was looking to his left and I'm convinced something put him off.

"He's schooled brilliantly since and I think his jumping is better when we're going quicker, so hopefully the way the Ryanair will play out will suit him."

The talented eight-year-old, owned by Imperial Racing Partnership 2016, is 6-1 for the Ryanair and Bass concluded: "I think he's good enough to win and I'd have to say he's my best chance. I think all of mine have got a chance - of course I'm going to say that - but with Imperial Aura the course form is massive and I feel he's a genuine Grade 1 horse and can prove that next week, while there probably isn't a standout horse in the Ryanair."

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