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Rubaud and Colonel Mustard are set to clash again in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday, having finished first and second in last season’s Scottish Champion Hurdle.
The pair have gone in different directions since, with the Paul Nicholls-trained Rubaud picking up the Listed Trustatrader Approved and Reviewed Trades People Hurdle at Kempton Park and the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton before Christmas. Although Rubaud had to fill second position behind Constitution Hill in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle, it was a solid result for the six-year-old's first attempt in Grade 1 company. He was disappointing behind Lossiemouth in the Grade 2 Unibet Hurdle subsequently and will be aiming to the season back on track.
"He's been a very consistent horse, but the ground would be a slight worry to me," said Nicholls.
"He did run very well as a novice on soft ground at Kempton on Boxing Day, but most of his form has been on good ground.
"He's a bit stronger now, but he enjoys right-handed and an easy two miles. Our intention is to go here and then one more run later down the line, nothing fancy, then he will be going chasing. That's when you will see the best of him."
Colonel Mustard will be returning to hurdles for the first time since placing third behind State Man in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in April. Whilst he posted a fair effort to finish second behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Found A Fifty on chasing debut at Down Royal, the gelding disappointed in the Grade 2 John Francome Novices' Chase at Newbury in early December.
"I think his time over fences is not going to bear the fruits we hoped, but we had a go at chasing because his mark is high enough over hurdles," said trainer Lorna Fowler.
"We decided after Newbury to revert back to hurdles and have always had the Kingwell as sort of a plan from then.
"I'm very happy with the horse and hopefully he will travel OK – he usually does. He does have a massive weight turn around with Rubaud from when they met at Ayr, Rubaud is undoubtedly an improving horse and Mustard will certainly have to bring his A game to be able to beat him.
"The ground is not really what I want, but then I'm not sure it's what any of them want and Wincanton have put on some very good prize-money. I have UK-based owners and we're all keen to have a go and we think it's a good opportunity and worth a shot.
"Colonel Mustard hasn't run for a while and is back over hurdles, but he did have a schooling race at Thurles a few weeks ago and hopefully he is in the zone to run his best race."
The field of five is completed by Nigel Twiston-Davies' Guard Your Dreams, the enigmatic Goshen and the Kerry Lee-trained Nemean Lion.
