Conditions key to Rubaud’s Pendil potential

Good ground could prove crucial as course specialist Rubaud attempts to enhance Paul Nicholls’ stellar record in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

The 14-time champion trainer has won the Grade Two event a record 13 times, with Ditcheat stars Frodon (2017), Cyrname (2018) and Pic d’Orhy (2022) just three to shine in the event as novices before marching on to bigger and better things.

Having missed out on the first prize with Tahmuras 12 months ago, Nicholls once again has a leading player in Rubaud as he seeks to get his hands back on the trophy.

The seven-year-old has won three times at the course over hurdles and although a faller here on his chasing debut, now steps up in trip having given a respectable account when second in the Kingmaker at Warwick earlier this month.

“He’s fit and well and will love the ground,” said Nicholls.

“He likes Kempton and we’ve had plenty of success in that race, so it would be nice to have another winner.

“We’ll go there and give it our best shot and he’s in good shape, but the key to him is good ground and hopefully the ground stays that way.”

Standing in Rubaud’s way is Imperial Saint, who has excelled for Philip Hobbs and Johnson White at Aintree this term and put up a fine effort in defeat when placed in handicap company at Cheltenham on Festival Trials day.

White said: “I was delighted with the way he ran at Cheltenham and a few people mentioned that maybe a flat track was key for him which we never actually thought was necessary, it was just the way the races had panned out that he’s ended up on a flat track.

“The step up in trip has brought improvement from him and I think he will step up further again in time. But there is no rush on that for now and we will see what happens on Saturday before making a plan for the future.

“He’s a horse very much on the upgrade and there is no reason to think that is going to stop at this time.”

Irish raider Ashdale Bob got off the mark over fences last summer and the 10-year-old, who brings plenty of back class to the table, has been kept fresh since winning at Galway last August.

Dan Skelton’s Boombawn is already a winner at this level having bagged the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton in the autumn, while Gary and Josh Moore’s Noel Novices’ Chase scorer Mark Of Gold is also a previous Grade Two victor.

Nicky Henderson’s Bhaloo completes the field of six.