Pauling looks to Boreham Bill for timely tonic

Jockey Club Ownership Syndicate Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race | 2m | 4-6yo | Listed | RUK

Ben Pauling suffered a hammer blow when his stable star Barters Hill pulled up injured at this track on Friday but is hoping Boreham Bill can give him reason to smile in a Listed bumper that has a rich history when it comes to producing future stars.

Rock On Ruby made his first visit to Cheltenham a winning one in in this race back in 2010 and just over two years later enjoyed his crowning moment at the tack in the Champion Hurdle. Last year Ballyandy was the winner before returning in March to win the Champion Bumper.

Well supported on his debut, Boreham Bill made no mistake at Market Rasen and although taking a big step up in grade, is clearly well thought of by his trainer.

"He was very heavily backed on his first start and is a lovely horse," said Pauling. "It will be good to see him in this kind of company, he's one we like a lot."

As well as with Rock On Ruby, Paul Nicholls won this race with Ghizao in 2009 and bids for a third win today with Brahms De Clermont.

The champion trainer said: "He's done nothing wrong and is two-from-two but this is a tougher task. It's going to be hard but he's in there with a chance."

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Ballyandy, runs Woodfort as he bids for a repeat win, although he has 11 and a half lengths to find with Brahms De Clermont from their course run last month.

Mountain Rock, already a dual bumper winner, is one of two runners from Ireland and represents Classic-winning trainer Adrian Keatley.

He said: "I'm so much happier with him now than I was before Tipperary. I was probably too soft on him before Tipperary and he should be much more effective in this. The ground will be perfect for him."