Rock On Ruby Set for Aintree Hurdle
- By A.J. Ryder on April 10, 2012 15:36 GMT
As the Aintree Grand National meeting is now almost upon us, we're able to take a closer look at some of the other major races set to unfold in the build up to the 4m4f showpiece. The big news for the Aintree hurdle is that Rock On Ruby maintains his entry and is set to go off against six competitors in pursuit for the 2m4f contest.
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Rock On Ruby defeated Champion Sizing Europe at the Cheltenham Festival when sent off at a lengthy 11/1 margin – etching his name into the history books and announcing a new contender for top honours on the hurdling scene.
Rock On Ruby, ironically not piloted by Ruby Walsh on the day, was one of the few notable mentions for the Nicholls yard, who had a rather quiet festival with Kauto Star being pulled up in the Gold Cup and many top fancies not firing to potential.
Big Buck's was the other exception – romping home to capture a fourth World Hurdle.
Rock On Ruby has only finished off the board once and that was in his debut at Newbury back in 2009 when losing on the flat to a promising young gelding named Oscar Whisky – and he will be back to contest this one.
Oscar Whisky joins up with Zarkandar, Thousand Stars, Third Intention, Saphir River and Overturn in their pursuit for the massive £160,000 guaranteed for this one.
The going stick was altered once again on Tuesday with conditions now listed as “soft” from “soft, good to soft in places”. Sunshine is expected tomorrow and this could see the going changed once more in the build-up to the big kick-off later in the week.
