Tag Archive for: Rubaud

Rubaud digs deep to give Nicholls another Pendil triumph

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Rubaud battled back to give trainer Paul Nicholls a 14th victory in the Ladbrokes Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

Harry Cobden set out to make all on 5-4 favourite Rubaud, but Imperial Saint was snapping at his heels throughout as the pair set a decent pace up front.

They never really managed to build an advantage over the field, however, and only Bhaloo was clearly out of contention when the gallop turned up a notch, with Rubaud initially caught for gears and making a couple of notable jumping errors as Imperial Saint tried to assert.

Cobden managed to get his mount back on an even keel and he was back in front turning into the straight and while Boombawn and Mark Of Gold pushed him hard, Rubaud just kept finding for pressure to prevail by a length.

Nicholls said: “I’m amazed he won, going down the back I thought he was in a bit of trouble. I thought he was never going to win, but he came back and showed some class. He’s a tough horse.

“He hates the ground like that and it’s the first time he’s ever won on soft ground. He’s a much better horse on better ground.

“He had a hard enough race at Warwick in the Kingmaker and two weeks between is quick enough, but he toughed it out there and stayed on really strongly which obviously was a doubt.”

Rubaud’s success comes a week after Nicholls’ first Grade One victory of the season with Pic d’Orhy at Ascot and his latest Pendil hero will now be prepared for a shot at the Manifesto Novices’ Chase that opens Aintree’s Grand National meeting on April 3.

Rubaud was brave to win the Pendil
Rubaud was brave to win the Pendil (Nigel French/PA)

“We’ll freshen him up and go to Aintree for the two-and-a-half-mile novice race,” continued Nicholls.

“To do that and stay on strong just opens up some options, but the key to him is good ground. We can get him better than he was today and we’ll move on to Aintree.

“He’s pulled a front shoe off and when he’s done that he’s overreached as well, but it’s superficial.

“I’m delighted and we’ve had some nice winners now – the horses definitely haven’t been right through January, but they’re just getting there now and we’re looking forward to hopefully a nice spring where we’ll be doing the best we can.”

Tripoli Flyer on his way to Dovecote glory
Tripoli Flyer on his way to Dovecote glory (Nigel French/PA)

Tripoli Flyer (5-2) advanced his Festival claims with a straightforward victory in the Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle.

Fergal O’Brien’s charge more than had the measure of favourite Miami Magic as both made a bit of a hash of the final obstacle, with the latter also stumbling on the landing side to scupper any hopes of rallying on the run to the line.

In any case, Tripoli Flyer appeared to have plenty in reserve, as he galloped out a seven-and-a-half-length winner, with Betfair slicing his odds to 16-1 from 40s for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

O’Brien said: “He’s got a huge engine and Johnny (Burke, jockey) said you can put him where you want in a race, he’s got an explosive bit of speed about him. He thought he could have waited a bit longer maybe but he got the job done and we were here to win this.

“I felt very hopeful coming from Musselburgh and it wasn’t nice watching him up there down the back. But when he opened him up turning into the straight he was very good.

“He’s so relaxed and has got a great mind which you need for a good athlete, especially these two-milers. Johnny said coming in that soon as you switch him on and away he goes.

“I think he’s genuinely better going right-handed and he does jump a bit right but if it’s nice ground – and I wouldn’t want him running on soft ground – I do think he’s earned his chance to go to the Supreme. He’s won plenty now and definitely deserves a go.”

Philip Hobbs and Johnson White were out of luck with Imperial Saint in the Pendil, but got on the scoresheet via Saint Anapolino, who could have booked a ticket to the Cheltenham Festival when bringing up a hat-trick in the Ladbrokes ‘Big-Value You Can Bet On’ Handicap Hurdle.

Saint Anapolino (left) on his way to victory
Saint Anapolino (left) on his way to victory (Nigel French/PA)

White said of the 5-1 winner: “He’s kept improving in all his runs and is still reasonably green and not the easiest to settle, but he’s learning with every run he’s had and settled nicely today which he needed to do to get the extra trip.

“He’s got entries at Cheltenham and we’ll get him home and make sure he’s OK and check with the owners what is the best way forward.

“It’s a massive step up from what he’s done so far and he’s definitely progressive and going in the right way.

“I think a Cheltenham handicap would suit him down to the ground, it would be a fast-run race and he stays, while equally he travels, so I think he will be very well suited to it. In time he would get further as well but we’ll stick to this sort of trip for now.

Conditions key to Rubaud’s Pendil potential

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Good ground could prove crucial as course specialist Rubaud attempts to enhance Paul Nicholls’ stellar record in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

The 14-time champion trainer has won the Grade Two event a record 13 times, with Ditcheat stars Frodon (2017), Cyrname (2018) and Pic d’Orhy (2022) just three to shine in the event as novices before marching on to bigger and better things.

Having missed out on the first prize with Tahmuras 12 months ago, Nicholls once again has a leading player in Rubaud as he seeks to get his hands back on the trophy.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has won the Pendil Novices' Chase 13 times
Trainer Paul Nicholls has won the Pendil Novices’ Chase 13 times (Steven Paston for the Jockey Club/PA)

The seven-year-old has won three times at the course over hurdles and although a faller here on his chasing debut, now steps up in trip having given a respectable account when second in the Kingmaker at Warwick earlier this month.

“He’s fit and well and will love the ground,” said Nicholls.

“He likes Kempton and we’ve had plenty of success in that race, so it would be nice to have another winner.

“We’ll go there and give it our best shot and he’s in good shape, but the key to him is good ground and hopefully the ground stays that way.”

Standing in Rubaud’s way is Imperial Saint, who has excelled for Philip Hobbs and Johnson White at Aintree this term and put up a fine effort in defeat when placed in handicap company at Cheltenham on Festival Trials day.

White said: “I was delighted with the way he ran at Cheltenham and a few people mentioned that maybe a flat track was key for him which we never actually thought was necessary, it was just the way the races had panned out that he’s ended up on a flat track.

Imperial Saint in action at Aintree earlier this season
Imperial Saint in action at Aintree earlier this season (Nigel French/PA)

“The step up in trip has brought improvement from him and I think he will step up further again in time. But there is no rush on that for now and we will see what happens on Saturday before making a plan for the future.

“He’s a horse very much on the upgrade and there is no reason to think that is going to stop at this time.”

Irish raider Ashdale Bob got off the mark over fences last summer and the 10-year-old, who brings plenty of back class to the table, has been kept fresh since winning at Galway last August.

Dan Skelton’s Boombawn is already a winner at this level having bagged the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton in the autumn, while Gary and Josh Moore’s Noel Novices’ Chase scorer Mark Of Gold is also a previous Grade Two victor.

Nicky Henderson’s Bhaloo completes the field of six.

Rubaud highlights fantastic five-timer for Nicholls

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Rubaud produced a brave front-running display to retain his BetMGM Elite Hurdle title and help Paul Nicholls post a fabulous five-timer at Wincanton.

The six-year-old got the better of a battle with Aspire Tower at the head of affairs but Brentford Hope loomed up in ominous fashion between the final two flights.

However, Rubaud jumped the last much more fluently and never looked back, coming home a length and a quarter in front as the 11-10 favourite under Harry Cobden.

Nicholls, who had already struck with Sorceleur, Beau Balko and Larchmont Lass in the first three races on the card and took the closing bumper with Swingin Safari, said: “He is a fantastic horse and he will go chasing now.

“He will not beat the likes of Constitution Hill, and we proved that last season. He is a great Grade Two horse and he will be a fantastic chaser, as he is a brilliant jumper and he is a big, scopey horse. That is his future now.

“I think he beat two good horses there that are rated higher than him and he has given them 6lb. But he is just a class horse. He just keeps galloping and that is the great thing about him.

“He will go to Kempton Park for the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase over Christmas. That might be his first port of call, as I don’t want to over do it.”

Cobden, who rode a four-timer of his own, added: “I love riding this horse, he’s so slick over his hurdles. When he was younger, he was very keen, but he just gives himself a chance now and he’s an absolute pleasure to ride.”

Sorceleur (2-9) claimed the BetMGM EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle less than 24 hours after a victory at Exeter.

Wincanton Races – Saturday November 9th
Sorceleur ridden by Harry Cobden (Steven Paston/PA).

Nicholls said: “He is a hardy horse that eats well. He came out this morning like he hadn’t been anywhere yesterday. He ate all his grub last night and drank plenty of water. It was never in doubt.

“I think I’ve done it five or six times in my career (run a horse on consecutive days) and they have all won. You have just got to have the right horse.”

Following Swingin Safari’s success, the 14-times champion trainer added: “It is nice to have five winners, and we have done it before on this day. We are flying along now.”

Boombawn timed his late charge just right when getting up close home in the Grade Two Boodles Rising Stars Novices’ Chase.

Soul Icon made a brave attempt to make all and had seen off market leaders Insurrection and Handstands before the latter fell three out.

However, Harry Skelton managed to keep Boombawn in contention and he found just that little bit more after the last to score by a neck at 8-1.

Wincanton Races – Saturday November 9th
Boombawn (left) ridden by Harry Skelton going on to win (Steven Paston/PA).

Winning trainer Dan Skelton said: “I’m stopping short of calling it top-class form, but for horses that like that ground, it has got to be a good race.

“Fair play to the second as he has worn his heart on his sleeve and jumped brilliantly, and he didn’t really deserve to get caught. If I’m in second I’d feel gutted, but some days you win and some days you don’t and Boombawn just had a little bit left at the end.

“Going to the last I thought we had him. Harry just saved a bit as he got that inner rail. I’m just chuffed to bits for him.

“He wants a good gap between his races and if the ground starts softening up, I’m not sure you will see him for a while.

“The Pendil (Novices’ Chase at Kempton) would be an obvious starting point and we could get him back at the end of February if the ground is acceptable.

“He can’t have a bad season full stop, as he has just won a £75,000 race.”

Rubaud returns to top form with convincing Kempton repeat

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Paul Nicholls will target back-to-back wins in next month’s Elite Hurdle with Rubaud after he made a successful reappearance in Listed company at Kempton for the second season running.

The six-year-old made a flying start to the last campaign, landing the TrustATrader Approved And Reviewed Trades People Hurdle on his return before striking Grade Two gold at Wincanton.

He went on to pick up the silver medal behind Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle back at Kempton on Boxing Day before slightly losing his way in the new year, meaning this time around his trainer is targeting a switch to fences after his next outing.

Rubaud was a 9-4 shot for his Kempton comeback and stamped his class under a positive ride from Harry Cobden, drawing clear from the final flight to score by seven and a half lengths from Kihavah.

Casa No Mento, the 7-4 favourite, was disappointingly pulled up.

“A few of the horses have needed the run, God knows why. They’ve been holding their condition a bit longer than normal and I thought he might be the same, but he’s class and has done plenty,” Nicholls told Racing TV.

“We’ve schooled him over fences and we were going to go chasing, but with a lack of opportunities on the ground, we thought we’d take this in today and I suspect we’ll go to Wincanton for the race he won last year and go chasing afterwards.”

Paul Nicholls was pleased with Rubaud's comeback victory
Paul Nicholls was pleased with Rubaud’s comeback victory (John Walton/PA)

When asked if a second Elite Hurdle success may encourage connections to stick to the smaller obstacles, the Ditcheat handler added: “Not really, because you start taking on Constitution Hill and those better horses in Grade One races and he’d be in the same place as he was last year.

“He does jump fences very well, which will be an advantage, and I look forward to the day he does that.

“Today was a great race for him and Wincanton will as well hopefully, unless something like Constitution Hill turns up, and then we’ll think about going chasing.”

Rubaud returns to Wincanton with Kingwell in his sights

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Rubaud returns to the scene of one of his finest hours in pursuit of further riches in the Jennings Bet Kingwell Hurdle on Saturday.

Paul Nicholls’ six-year-old has won six of his 11 starts over the smaller obstacles and struck at Wincanton in the Elite Hurdle earlier in the season, his fourth win in a row.

Since then he has faced the mammoth task of taking on Constitution Hill at Kempton in the Christmas Hurdle and also had the misfortune of bumping into an imperious Lossiemouth at Cheltenham in the Unibet Hurdle.

He now returns to what appears slightly easier company and despite the champion trainer having some concerns about conditions, he heads to the Somerset venue as the highest rated in the field.

“He’s been a very consistent horse, but the ground would be a slight worry to me,” said Nicholls.

“He did run very well as a novice on soft ground at Kempton on Boxing Day, but most of his form has been on good ground.

“He’s a bit stronger now, but he enjoys right-handed and an easy two miles. Our intention is to go here and then one more run later down the line, nothing fancy, then he will be going chasing. That’s when you will see the best of him.”

Rubaud in action at Ayr last season
Rubaud in action at Ayr last season (Jane Barlow/PA)

Rubaud had Lorna Fowler’s Colonel Mustard three lengths adrift when they finished first and second in last season’s Scottish Champion Hurdle and the duo are set to lock horns yet again as chasing ambitions are finally put to one side for the Irish raider.

“I think his time over fences is not going to bear the fruits we hoped, but we had a go at chasing because his mark is high enough over hurdles,” said Fowler.

“We decided after Newbury to revert back to hurdles and have always had the Kingwell as sort of a plan from then.

“I’m very happy with the horse and hopefully he will travel OK – he usually does. He does have a massive weight turn around with Rubaud from when they met at Ayr, Rubaud is undoubtedly an improving horse and Mustard will certainly have to bring his A game to be able to beat him.”

Colonel Mustard is no stranger to trips to the UK having placed at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 and also going close at Ascot and Kelso – as well as Ayr – in the past.

Fowler would have preferred better conditions for this latest raid across the Irish Sea, but with over £41,000 on offer to the winner, she feels it is a risk well worth taking.

She went on: “The ground is not really what I want, but then I’m not sure it’s what any of them want and Wincanton have put on some very good prize-money. I have UK-based owners and we’re all keen to have a go and we think it’s a good opportunity and worth a shot.

Colonel Mustard in action at Cheltenham
Colonel Mustard in action at Cheltenham (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Colonel Mustard hasn’t run for a while and is back over hurdles, but he did have a schooling race at Thurles a few weeks ago and hopefully he is in the zone to run his best race.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies won this with the ill-fated I Like To Move It last year and attempts to go back-to-back with Guard Your Dreams, while Gary Moore also has fond memories of the race and returns dual-winner Goshen to Wincanton sporting first-time blinkers.

The field of five is rounded off by Kerry Lee’s Nemean Lion who the handler says is in “great form” as he prepares to drop back in trip after a brave second in Kempton’s Lanzarote Hurdle.

Cobden keen on Rubaud chances in Elite Hurdle

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Harry Cobden expects Rubaud to prove difficult to beat in Saturday’s West Country Weekend Elite Hurdle at Wincanton.

The Paul Nicholls-trained five-year-old had a progressive profile last season, which ended with him winning the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr.

He showed there could be more to come this term when winning first time out in Listed company at Kempton last month, when connections expected him to need the run, and Cobden feels that bar Constitution Hill, Rubaud could take some stopping on his side of the Irish Sea.

“Rubaud is in good form after winning at Kempton the other day. The handicapper put him up 9lb for that, but you would want a good one to get by him here I would say,” said Cobden.

“He was impressive when he won the Scottish Champion Hurdle last season, but he was only running off a mark of 135 then. Now he is up to 150 and hopefully he can run up to that mark.

“I can’t think of too many horses in this country that would beat him in this division in Britain apart from Constitution Hill.

“He would struggle to lay a glove on Constitution Hill, but someone has got to win these races and we might as well keep him in this division and win as much as we can.”

Rubaud on his way to winning the Scottish Champion Hurdle
Rubaud on his way to winning the Scottish Champion Hurdle (Jane Barlow/PA)

Cobden went on: “He needed his first run as he hadn’t been away for a gallop. The runner-up at Kempton (Too Friendly) was race-fit and Rubaud was fresh.

“He can take a chance at his hurdles and the only thing I would say about his Kempton run was that he was bit low at the odd one, but he got away with it.

“That run will have taken the gas out of him and he is a horse that really wants it and he will stick his head out for you. He has got a nice way of galloping, and he has a nice low head carriage.”

Rubaud pleases Nicholls with winning Kempton return

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Scottish Champion Hurdle hero Rubaud made a successful start to his campaign with a front-running victory in the Trustatrader Approved And Reviewed Trades People Hurdle at Kempton.

The five-year-old had won four of his seven previous starts for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, including Grade Two triumphs in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at this track in February and on his most recent outing at Ayr in April.

With Harry Cobden in the saddle, Rubaud was sent off at 2-1 for his reappearance and proceeded to lead his rivals a merry dance from flag-fall on his way to a near three-length victory.

Too Friendly was best of the rest in second, with 13-8 favourite First Street third and Alan King’s popular veteran Sceau Royal – seeking a third straight win in this Listed event – back in fourth.

Nicholls said of the winner: “I thought he would improve (for the run), but to compete at this sort of level he had to improve as at the weights he had a tough old task from last year, but he has gone and done that.

“I thought beforehand he looked big enough for his first run of the season so he will improve. He will now go to Wincanton in three weeks’ time for the Elite Hurdle. That was always the plan to come here and then go to Wincanton as it suits him to go right-handed.”

Looking further down the line, Rubaud could return to Kempton on Boxing Day for a potential clash with the mighty Constitution Hill.

Nicholls added: “We will probably run him in the Christmas Hurdle as someone has got to finish second to Nicky’s (Henderson) horse, and it is good prize-money.

“We will stay hurdling and go chasing next autumn as he is only five. He is a good level hurdler and we can choose our races with him and then go chasing next autumn.

“The two Grade Two races, the one in a few weeks, and the one in February (Kingwell Hurdle) will suit him quite well.”

Rubaud takes Scottish Champion Hurdle spoils

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Paul Nicholls was full of praise for his jockey Harry Cobden after watching him make all the running on Rubaud in the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr.

Cobden worked out on Friday that in front was the place to be – riding a treble for his boss – so he was keen to be in the box seat on the 7-2 favourite.

Since being bogged down in the ground when fancied for the Betfair Hurdle the five-year-old has won the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton, and it seems he prefers to go that way round.

Cobden had difficulty steering him at times, yet despite that still had plenty up his sleeve to hold off the late thrust of Lorna Fowler’s Colonel Mustard.

On quick ground, Rubaud jumped fluently throughout and stayed on strongly, holding off the Irish challenger by three lengths. Last year’s winner Anna Bunina was back in third.

Nicholls, who will be officially crowned champion trainer for the 14th time next week, said “That was a fantastic ride from the front, he’s not the easiest of rides but he’s beginning to relax.

“He went to Aintree last week, but we didn’t run him as the ground had gone soft. That was a fantastic ride.

“He jumps brilliant, you can see, he’ll be a fantastic chaser. He’s only young so we might start over hurdles and see where we end up.

“Harry is fantastic, he has a lot of confidence, he’s only 24 and is a fantastic team player, I’m really proud of him.”

Cobden told ITV Racing: “He’s definitely better right-handed. He was hanging the whole way. Down the back I edged into the middle of the course and going around the top bend I actually had two hands on my left rein to get him round it.

“He’s a lovely horse and will make a lovely chaser next year.”

Rubaud makes amends for Betfair Hurdle reverse

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Rubaud put a disappointing effort in the Betfair Hurdle well behind him with a gritty success in the Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton.

The Paul Nicholls-trained youngster was strongly fancied for the richest handicap hurdle of the season at Newbury a fortnight ago but gave himself no chance by racing far too freely.

Front-running tactics were employed this time by Harry Cobden and fitted with a hood he was much more settled.

Cobden was able to dictate matters at his own pace and when he kicked coming out of the home straight, he looked to have an unassailable advantage.

The favourite Hansard soon dropped away, as did Ukantango, but the mare Mullenbeg quickened up to almost join the leader.

She could not quite reel him in, though, and went down by a length and a quarter.

Rubaud leads Mullenbeg over the last
Rubaud leads Mullenbeg over the last (Nigel French/PA)

“We probably should have put a hood on him at Newbury where he got lit up and was far too keen,” said Nicholls.

“He’s a proper horse who jumps nicely and will now go to Aintree for the Grade One over two miles.

“He’s in the Supreme but there’s no point going there, he will have a much better chance of being able to dictate at Aintree.

“He goes a good gallop, he’s a good horse but just needs to learn how to relax.

“We had his wind sorted out and he’s been one that’s needed time, a bit like Solo who we saw at his best in the Pendil.”