Rubaud is the value call against favourite Filey Bay in the Betfair Hurdle (3.35) at Newbury.
The Paul Nicholls-saddled five-year-old, previously a talented racer on the Flat in France, has followed an upward curve over obstacles this season, hardly breaking sweat to capture a maiden hurdle at Taunton in November.
Rubaud returned to the Somerset course 17 days before Christmas and shrugged off a penalty in style, humbling Brentford Hope for a novice event over two miles. My selection’s bid for a hat-track came up short at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, when Rubaud ran a seven-length second to Rare Edition.
But it’s likely the rain-softened terrain in Sunbury over Christmas worked against Harry Cobden’s mount, who promises to be more at home on Saturday's playing surface.
Rubaud ventures into the handicap sphere on a British Horseracing Authority mark of 130, and, with the potential to progress further, can boost the impressive record of novice hurdlers in this race.
Fanion D'Estruval and Charlie Deutsch should prove a potent combination in the Grade 2 Denman Chase (2.25).
The Venetia Williams eight-year-old kept some lofty company in the second half of last season, making the frame behind Fakir D’Oudairies in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase last February and Allaho in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham the following month.
Fanion D’Estruval made his return to action with a seventh to Le Milos in the Coral Gold Cup here at the end of November before taking a step forward with a third in the Rowland Meyrick Chase on Boxing Day.
The Herefordshire raider was asked to carry top weight at Wetherby and his bronze medal behind Into Overdrive and Sounds Russian reads well – the winner is a progressive chaser and the runner-up went on to finish second to Ahoy Senor in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham a fortnight ago.
Deutsch replaces amateur rider Lucy Turner, on board for both outings this campaign, and Williams’ application of cheekpieces should also tease out more from a horse whose two successes since leaving France have come at Newbury.
It’s hard to see past Greaneteen in the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase (3.00). Since running third to Sceau Royal in this race two years ago, the nine-year-old has developed into a top-class performer for Paul Nicholls.
A third win at the highest level came in the Celebration Chase last April and it was no disgrace that Greaneteen surrendered his Tingle Creek title to Edwardstone last time out.
There’s an open look to the Betfair Multiples Offer Every Saturday Handicap Hurdle (1.50), in which Regarding Ruth is a fascinating contender.
Flemenfirth’s daughter is evidently a hard horse to get to the track – she has been off since scoring at Market Rasen in May of 2021.
The handicapper has taken her absence into account – Regarding Ruth is just 1lb higher in the ratings – and her ability to produce her best on drying terrain is another plus.
Jonbon should warm up for Cheltenham by beating three opponents for Warwick's Grade 2 Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (2.40).
The Arkle Challenge Trophy favourite, whose sole career defeat came when second to Nicky Henderson stablemate Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last March, made the perfect fencing debut over this course and distance before an eight-length supremacy in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in December.
Cue long faces at Seven Barrows if his colours are lowered here.
Harry Fry’s Love Envoi deserves to start at short odds for the Virgin Best Odds Daily Warwick Mares’ Hurdle (2.05) en route to a crack at the Mares’ Hurdle at the National Hunt Festival.
The opening Virgin Bet Warwick Castle Handicap Chase (1.30) is a good opportunity for top weight Stolen Silver to get back to winning way after a fine second at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
