Rock On Ruby© Photo Healy Racing
Rock On Ruby returns to his happiest hunting ground for tomorrow's Dornan Engineering Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Winner of the 2012 Champion Hurdle, he was second to Hurricane Fly 12 months later before turning his attention to chasing last term.
However, he failed to sparkle over the bigger obstacles and was switched back to hurdles, returning to winning ways in the Relkeel Hurdle at Prestbury Park nearly three weeks ago.
This race was immediately pinpointed by trainer Harry Fry and while the distance looks ideal, he faces stiffer opposition and is carrying an 8lb penalty so Fry knows it will not be easy.
With no race over the intermediate distance of two and a half miles at the Festival in March, Fry has yet to commit him to the World Hurdle over three miles and his performance here could offer a valuable pointer as to future plans.
"Hopefully the rain holds off until after the race as everyone knows he's not as effective in the soft," said Fry.
"He came out of his last race really well and this has always been the plan since.
"There's obviously more strength in depth to this race than the Relkeel and he's got to carry an 8lb penalty, so it will be tougher for him.
"We're looking forward to taking him back there, though, he's got a great record at Cheltenham.
"We've said all along that we'll take it one race at a time with him. Obviously with no two-and-a-half-mile race in March we've some thinking to do.
"There's obviously the Aintree Hurdle to think about and we know that suits him very well indeed, but for a horse who runs so well at Cheltenham, it would be a shame for him to miss the Festival so we'll just have to see what happens."
While there is a small doubt about Rock On Ruby's stamina, there are no concerns about Cole Harden s ability to see out the trip and Warren Greatrex's stable star will try to expose any chinks in the armour of his rivals.
"We had considered taking him to Ireland but he had a very small setback and waited for this, it's turned into a great race," said Greatrex.
"He's dropping in trip but is not a slow horse by any means. The fact it is on the New Course is a bonus as that will make it more of a test.
"There's a few in there that look very good and whatever ours does, he will improve for it. We may look at taking him back on Trials Day at the end of January.
"We'll be making it a true test as there are question marks over a couple stamina-wise, so we'll see if they stay or not."
