3 minute read
Rock On Ruby and First Mohican enhanced their Cheltenham Festival claims with victories on an informative afternoon at Doncaster.
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 2-7 favourite, Harry Fry's stable star was never going to please everyone but his jumping certainly 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 were impressed enough to cut him to 6-1 from 9s for the Arkle next month.
The man on board, Noel Fehily, was thoroughly 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. He always turns the corner in January 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.
"He's gone and attacked every fence and he just pecked after the last, so it's all systems go now.
"He's a nine-year-old, so has experience at the very highest level even though he hasn't faced many horses over fences (three)."
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 six-year-old's Flat career was restricted through injury but he took to his new discipline well for Alan King.
After making eye-catching progress and jumping well, the 7-2 chance led just before the final flight and while he had to be kept up 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 20-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
King said: "I'd have been disappointed if he hadn't won, it looked a good race on paper but he's very smart.
"He was a bit fresh and was jumped into at one stage which made him keen. He got there too soon and we can improve on fitness.
"He'll go to the Dovecote (Kempton, February 22) now, that has always been the plan.
"For a novice first time out that was as good a round of jumping as you could get."