Rock On Ruby
In a week where
torrid luck has overshadowed racings imminent enthusiasm, heads turned once
again to Cheltenham in hope of compliment for the sport. The harrowing demise
of talented trio Big Shu, Balbriggan and Oscar Whisky cast shadows over the
ardently anticipated International meeting. But Prestbury Park was typically resplendent
on this December afternoon as heroic nine-year-old Rock On Ruby claimed the
Relkeel Hurdle, epitomising the same adoration for his job that parallels our
passions. Professionalism, fluency and bravery saw him triumph as he paid handsome
tribute to our fallen friends who brought us such in the past.
Fittingly, rookie
trainer Harry Fry met Rock On Ruby’s groom Ciara, who looked after Rock On Ruby
for such a large segment of his ever-exuberant career, upon the horses transfer
to his yard. The couple recently
breached new ground when becoming parents for the first time. Their daughter,
aptly named Ruby, witnessed her namesake win in the arms of her mother. Another
longstanding presence that continues to contribute to the veteran’s success is
regular rider Noel Fehily, who has ridden him for his last 12 starts, including
the pinnacle win in 2011’s Champion Hurdle.
Noel stated:
“He’s just a great
horse. He’s been very good to me, I absolutely love him to bits, and he’s one
of those horses that would go through the pain barrier for you. He’s so tough.
He travelled well today, jumped great; he just loves it around Cheltenham.
Harry Fry and Ciara who look after him have done such a good job, because he’s
not the easiest to train.”
Channel 4 Racing’s
Jim McGrath added:
“He’s been a
champion, why was he a champion? Because he jumps, he tries and he’s got a good
level of ability. And the people around him absolutely love him. And you could
hear the crowd as he passed the line, he got a right cheer.”
Smart hurdler Volnaix
De Thaix looked briefly outpaced before chasing the winner home to bravely
minimise the winning margin to 2 ¼ lengths. Brother Brian, a somewhat rare
runner over jumps for Hughie Morrison, ran pleasingly in 3rd and
last home was the disappointing Lac Fontana, who never really figured.
The ultimate target
for Rock on Ruby is sure to be the Aintree Hurdle, a race in which he was
narrowly beaten by fellow Cheltenham specialist and Champion Hurdle bound The
New One last year. It appears Rock On Ruby’s future now lies beyond the 2 mile
championship distance, and back over the smaller obstacles after a failed stint
chasing. It will be interesting to see where his campaign takes him without an
obvious festival race suiting his abilities as an older horse.
Saturday belonged to
those at the peak of Cheltenham hierarchy, as another bijou fairytale was
plucked from its Gloucestershire turf. Racing’s implacable nature often invites
us to look to the future and the potential of what could be. Yet this does not
mean the illuminative memories that have been will fail to remain- far from it,
in fact.
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