Harry Fry plans to start off Rock On Ruby’s season at Ascot late next month.

The former Champion Hurdle winner, who had a brief career over fences last season before returning to timber to run The New One to a head at Aintree, was part of a parade before racing at Wincanton’s curtain-raising fixture.

“He’s in very good order,” said the Seaborough handler. “We’ve decided we’ll very much stick to hurdling and he might start off in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot on November 22.

“We’ll take it race by race, there’s no firm Cheltenham target or anything.”

Fry’s other member of the parade was Activial, of whom Fry said he was “leaning towards the Ladbroke” while the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham is an alternative option.

Meanwhile, Silviniaco Conti and Cue Card had an opportunity to eyeball each other in the paddock at Wincanton before their next scheduled meeting in the Betfair Chase on November 22.

The pair had two early clashes as last season warmed up, with Cue Card gaining the honours in the Haydock prize before he tied up in the closing stages of the King George at Kempton and was caught by Silviniaco Conti.

Cue Card missed the rest of the campaign, with Paul Nicholls’ chestnut finishing fourth in an eventful Cheltenham Gold Cup before landing the Betfred Bowl at Aintree.

Cue Card, who will have the assistance of Daryl Jacob this season after the retirement of Milborne Port trainer Colin Tizzard’s son Joe, appears in good health.

Tizzard snr said: “He had his palate cauterised in the summer and I’ve been very pleased with his work.

“We’re going to start off where we have done before, in the Haldon Gold Cup, then that should put him spot on for the Betfair. If that goes well, then it will be back to the King George.”