ROCK On Ruby returns to his happiest hunting ground for today’s Dornan Engineering Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Winner of the 2012 Champion Hurdle, he was second to Hurricane Fly 12 months later before turning his attention to chasing last term.

However, he failed to sparkle over the bigger obstacles and was switched back to hurdles, returning to winning ways in the Relkeel Hurdle at Prestbury Park nearly three weeks ago.

This race was immediately pinpointed by Seaborough trainer Harry Fry and, while the distance looks ideal, he faces stiffer opposition and is carrying an 8lb penalty, so his handler knows it will not be easy.

With no race over the intermediate distance of two-and-a-half miles at the Festival in March, Fry has yet to commit him to the World Hurdle over three miles and his performance today could offer a valuable pointer as to future plans.

“Hopefully the rain holds off until after the race as everyone knows he’s not as effective in the soft,” said Fry.

“He came out of his last race really well and this has always been the plan since.

“There’s obviously more strength in depth to this race than the Relkeel and he’s got to carry an 8lb penalty, so it will be tougher for him.

“We’re looking forward to taking him back there, he has got a great record at Cheltenham.

“We’ve said all along that we’ll take it one race at a time with him. Obviously with no two-and-a-half-mile race in March we’ve some thinking to do.

“There’s obviously the Aintree Hurdle to think about and we know that suits him very well indeed, but for a horse who runs so well at Cheltenham it would be a shame for him to miss the Festival, so we’ll just have to see what happens.”