Rubaud ready to rumble at Newbury

RUBAUD can spearhead a high-profile Newbury treble for Paul Nicholls by landing the Betfair Hurdle.

The five-year-old makes plenty of appeal as a relatively unexposed runner towards the bottom of the weights, in what is one of the most competitive heats of the season.

A Flat winner in France, he showed little zip on his debut for Nicholls in last season’s Adonis Hurdle, but he has been a different proposition this term, making all for two cosy victories at Taunton in November and December before finding Rare Edition just too good at Kempton over Christmas.

Beaten seven lengths on Boxing Day, Rubaud was in turn 13 lengths clear of the third on ground that really would have been softer than ideal.

With Newbury unable to water, conditions are set to be pretty lively and it is easy to see why Harry Cobden has chosen to ride this son of Air Chief Marshal.

Greaneteen is another Ditcheat runner who should be returning to winning ways in the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase.

No match for Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek when last seen, the nineyear-old is at his best on a sound surface and the fact he is rated at least 15lb superior to each of his rivals here makes his claims quite clear.

McFabulous is the other Nicholls runner on a retrieval mission in the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

He beat Thyme Hill six and a half lengths at this track in November, only to see that rival turn the form right around in the Grade One Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, with McFabulous suffering a 15 length defeat.

The Kempton ground was an obvious excuse for a proven good-ground horse.

Eldorado Allen can snap the Nicholls domination in the Betfair Denman Chase.

Joe Tizzard’s charge fell short in the King George VI Chase, coming home fourth while the reopposing Hitman was pulled up.

Eldorado Allen has a bit to find at the weights with Hitman, but he has proved his stamina over this trip, unlike his rival.