Champion Hurdle: Ruby to Rock in blinkers

Rock On Ruby won the Champion Hurdle last year

Harry Fry has revealed Rock On Ruby will wear blinkers for the first time in public when he defends his crown in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday...

While the decision will come as a surprise to many, Fry has revealed it something connections have been considering for some time due to the way he has tended to idle in front at the end of his races.

Speaking in his blog, Fry said: "We had our final schooling session yesterday morning with Noel (Fehily) on board and he was awesome. That is due to the fact that he's going to run in first-time blinkers on Tuesday.

"It's something we've quietl been discussing throughout the season and we feel now is the time to use them. He schooled with them on yesterday and last Friday and Noel couldn't pull him up after the first time he went through. He's been razor-sharp.

"We don't want to make the running but they're there to help him. We were in front from two out last season and he just slightly idled into the last and they came back to him. This is just to help make sure he keeps going all the way to the line."

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