Rock on Ruby makes chasing debut

This would normally be a typical Monday with 3 very low grade cards, but one runner today stands out like a shining light- Rock on Ruby (Harry Fry/ Noel Fehily), who makes his chasing debut at 13.40 CET at Plumpton. This a quite a valuable race for the track and the winner chases a big bonus as well, but only two very inferior rivals have bothered to take him on: Lamb´s Cross (Mark Gillard/ Patrick Corbett), an ex-Irish runner who made a successful British debut at Ffos Las last month, winning a very modest event by 21 lengths, and Lindsays Dream (Zoe Davison/ David Crosse), who has a good course record over hurdles here. However neither is anywhere near the same class as Rock on Ruby; since his 4th place on his debut in 2009, he has been placed on all 16 starts, mainly in top company, and is one of the best hurdlers in recent years, winning the Champion Hurdle in 2012 and running up to Hurricane Fly this year. On official hurdling ratings he has 70 lbs (!!!) in hand of his two opponents today and only needs to jump round safely to win by a distance. Of course, he has to jump the fences, and the soft ground is not ideal. but it will be the shock of the year if he is beaten. Lindsays Dream, with his course record and in receipt of weight, may finish runner-up but under normal circumstances cannot get anywhere near Rock On Ruby.

The rest of the card is of .little interest, though we expect Knocking House (Mick Channon /Dominic Elsworth) to get the better of Call The Cops (Nicky Henderson/ Andrew Tinkler) in the novice hurdle at 14.15.

The ground at Ffos Las will be very soft to heavy following more rain. The card here is very poor, but Royal Riviera (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies), named after one of our favourite hotels, acts in these conditions and can take the handicap chase at 14.30, while Stormyisland Ahead (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney) is up in grade but can profit from his low weight at 15.40.

The card for the all-weather meeting at Wolverhampton is even worse and with some small fields as well. German-bred Aqua Ardens (trainer George Baker and a different George Baker in the saddle) is no star but at least knows how to win and could be worth a small each-way bet in the 9 1/2 furlongs handicap at 18.10.