Rock on Ruby advances festival claims

Rock On Ruby and First Mohican enhanced their Cheltenham Festival claims with victories on an informative afternoon at Doncaster yesterday.

Former champion hurdler Rock On Ruby faced just one rival in the Eventmasters Corporate Hospitality Novices’ Chase, the Paul Nicholls-trained Mr Mole.

Sent off the 2 to 7 favourite, Harry Fry’s stable star was never going to please everyone but his jumping improved as the pace picked up in the final half mile. The only semi-anxious moment came when he pecked on landing after the last and as he pulled 10 lengths clear. Paddy

Power cut him to 6 to 1 from 9s for the Arkle next month

Jockey Noel Fehily was satisfied and Fry’s decision not to risk him on ground softer than ideal was vindicated.

Rock On Ruby needs to defy the statistics, however, as the last nine-year-old to win the Arkle was Jimmy Fitzgerald’s Danish Flight in 1988.

“I was very happy with him and Noel was happy,” said Fry. “Noel said he felt much better than when he ran in his prep run [for the Champion Hurdle] here last year . . . and March brings out the best in him. There are five weeks to go now and we’ll just put the finishing touches to it.”

First Mohican was classy on the Flat for Sir Henry and Lady Cecil and was only beaten a length in a Group Three at Deauville last summer, so it was no surprise he had the ability to make a winning debut over obstacles in the eventmasters.co.uk Novices’ Hurdle.

The 7 to 2 chance led just before the final flight and while he had to be kept to his work by Robert Thornton to win by three-quarters of a length from Huff And Puff, it was a pleasing introduction. The win was further evidence that King’s string have emerged from the virus fighting fit as he was also on the mark at Huntingdon.

Paddy Power left him unchanged at 20 to 1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

“I’d have been disappointed if he hadn’t won . . . He was a bit fresh . . . got there too soon [but] we can improve on fitness,” said King. “He’ll go to the Dovecote [Kempton, February 22nd] now.”