Vinndication ruled out of Ascot target as Bailey waits on further assessment

Kim Bailey has ruled his emerging stable star Vinndication out of the Dave Dawes Silver Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot this Saturday after the six-year-old incurred a bone bruise.

Vinndication returned in fine fettle last month, bolting up in the Sodexo Gold Cup at the Berkshire track, resulting in his official rating rising to 159 over fences.

The setback is expected to keep the chaser off the track until the second half of the season, with his participation at the major spring festivals in the balance until the prognosis becomes clearer.

The trainer said: "He's suffered a bone bruise and we need to make sure it's all back to normal before he returns.

"He'll have a month on the easy list and hopefully he'll be back for the second half of the season. He'll be properly assessed on January 10 and if he's clean and okay he'll carry on in training."

Stablemate First Flow will continue to make hay in the novice chase division over the winter.

The seven-year-old has impressed in his three starts over fences, filling the runner-up spot behind Summerville Boy and Angels Breath before scooping a Hereford novice in convincing fashion on Saturday.

First Flow: got off the mark over fences on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"I haven't given any thought into where First Flow goes next," said Bailey. "He has to have very soft ground but it looks like this is going to be his winter.

"I think there's a decent race in him. He ran really well behind Angels Breath and it was good for him to get his confidence up in a slightly weaker race at Hereford."

The trainer added: "He probably has to go right-handed. He jumped right-handed at Uttoxeter at the end but funnily enough a couple of times at Hereford yesterday he actually jumped left.

"He's a weird horse but he's a talented horse on heavy ground. The going is everything for him."

Get ahead of the game with Get Your Eye In - exclusive Saturday preview content on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app from 2pm on Friday