PAUL NICHOLLS reckons he has a horse in his yard good enough to take on champion hurdler Constitution Hill.
And the legendary trainer will be absolutely gutted if he can hit the target in a big £70,000 race at Wincanton on Saturday.
The improving Rubaud has won his last three starts and is a red-hot favourite for the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle.
He was impressive in a Listed race at Kempton last time out and Nicholls is heading to his local track expecting another big performance.
The Betfair ambassador said: “Rubaud is an improving young horse with a bright future he has plenty in his favour after a classy success at Kempton when he gave weight to all his rivals.
“He continues to work stylishly at home and is at his best going right-handed on a flat track like Wincanton.
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“I’ve left off the hood he has worn on his last three starts because he doesn’t need it any more. He has a first rate chance and could well be taking on Constitution Hill at Kempton over Christmas.”
The five-year-old is one of a number of big chances at Wincanton’s big meeting.
Among them are the classy Knappers Hill, who is well fancied for the Grade 2 Rising Stars Novice Chase.
Nicholls said: “Hopefully there is not too much more rain at Wincanton for him, nearly good to soft would be ideal.
“He’s a classy horse, has won 10 of his 17 starts, and jumped nicely when second on his chasing debut at Chepstow.
“That was a pleasing start, he has come on bundles since then and has strong claims in this. I remember Silviniaco Conti getting beaten in the same Chepstow race before race before winning the Rising Stars.”
And Nicholls, who has won the £70,000 Badger Beer Chase a record 11 times, fires two big darts in the shape of Frodon and Threeunderthrufive.
He added: “Frodon is a magic horse who starts his final season bidding to win the Badger Beer Chase under top weight for the second year in succession just short of his 12th birthday.
“He still loves his work, is so enthusiastic in everything he does and enjoys a brilliant partnership with Bryony Frost.
“He has had exactly the same preparation as last year with an away day and schooled brilliantly on Thursday. He is fresh and well and racing off the same handicap mark of 158 as 12 months ago.
“Threeunder was frustrating last season but to be fair he struggled with his breathing in his races so he had a win op in the summer and seems in very good shape ahead of his return to action.
“Crucially he has won all five of his starts on right-handed tracks and he stays very well. The Badger Beer Chase looks a perfect stepping stone for him ahead of the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and he might well be the one to beat at Wincanton.”
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