ROCK On Ruby returned to winning ways in the Grade Two Osborne House Relkeel Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The 2012 champion hurdler ably delivered as the 5-4 favourite with a pretty authoritative effort under Noel Fehily.
Harry Fry’s nine-year-old gained a clear-cut advantage three out after long-time leader Brother Brian began to feel the pinch.
Volnay De Thaix did an honourable job of attempting to make a race of it, but Rock On Ruby appeared to be going away again at the line and was two and a quarter lengths to the good.
Fehily said: “He’s just a great horse. He’s been very good to me – I love him to bits. “He’s just so tough and travelled great and jumped great.”
Seaborough handler Fry added: “It’s great to see him back in the winner’s enclosure at Chelten-ham. While he’s obviously not a slow horse, this is more his trip nowadays. I won’t make a commitment yet over the World Hurdle.
“There’s a race over a similar distance as this back here on New Year’s Day and we’ll come back for that first. The conditions of the race suited him perfectly, so it’s good that he won.
“Aintree is another option for him at the end of the season, having run so well there last season.”
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