Paul Nicholls dominates the Pendil - is Rubaud the right candidate to follow Frodon, Cyrname and Pic D'Orhy?

People often like to think of good races before Cheltenham as trials for Cheltenham. The Pendil is rarely one of those.

This is typically a spot for horses who are aiming for a decent prize in its own right en route to the season-ending meetings at Aintree, Ayr and Sandown instead. Paul Nicholls is never afraid to keep a good horse away from Cheltenham and that helps explain his excellent record in this race.

He has saddled six of the past ten winners, a group that includes future stable stars Cyrname, Frodon and Pic D’Orhy. Rubaud looks the perfect candidate for Nicholls and may be considered the heir apparent to Pic D’Orhy in the middle-distance division.

He is a three-time course winner who loves good ground and his staying-on second to L’Eau Du Sud in the Kingmaker points towards intermediate trips suiting. They went hard up front for the first half of that race and it was only Rubaud’s stamina that enabled him to keep closing the gap on L’Eau Du Sud.

Imperial Saint is the only runner with comparable form on ratings and has spearheaded a resurgence for the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White stable this season.

The seven-year-old ran a cracker when third in a top handicap on Cheltenham’s Trials day card and is back in a novice which lacks the same depth. The experience he has gained against seasoned chasers can only help.

Mark Of Gold and Boombawn will appreciate the surface, but are penalised for winning soft Grade 2s. Ashdale Bob appears to have the greater upside of those at bigger prices. The returning ten-year-old is battle-hardened after 30 starts and can go well when fresh.

Jessica Harrington’s only previous runner over the past 12 months in Britain won at odds of 10-3 and Ashdale Bob has operated at a higher level over hurdles before.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Boombawn
The course and distance should really suit. He has to give away a penalty, which isn't ideal, but we've kept him fresh for this and I'm hopeful he can run very well.

Gary Moore, joint-trainer of Mark Of Gold
He has little choice but to run in these sorts of races as his handicap mark is quite high and that makes him hard to place. He’s got plenty of racing experience and has been good in his two starts over fences, but there are no easy races for him.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Bhaloo
He’s in good shape, but he just wants some good ground. I’m not sure he stays three miles, so it’s why we’re coming back in trip for this. He won nicely at Ascot.

Imperial Saint: vast improver this seasonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Johnson White, joint-trainer of Imperial Saint
We were delighted with the way he ran at Cheltenham, as we never thought a flat track was necessary for him. We felt having had such a good season at Aintree so far this season, it's unnecessary to go to Cheltenham so we're running here to keep him fresh for the Grand National meeting. He won't be hindered by the ground at all, but if the rain arrives he'll go on that too. He's very straightforward for what he wants or needs.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Rubaud
The ground wasn't ideal at Warwick. He loves Kempton and a nice flat track, I just hope it doesn't rain too much because good ground suits him well. I think he's probably crying out for this trip as he's always looked a staying two-miler. Hopefully it will be alright and if it stays goodish ground it will be perfect. We're thinking of Aintree and Ayr for him.
Reporting by Maddy Playle

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