Ruby Island proves her consistency for Nicky Richards to give trainer pre-Cheltenham boost

Nicky Richards praised the consistency of Ruby Island after she recorded her first success for the yard in the 2m5½f mares' handicap hurdle.

On her fourth start since joining the trainer from Mark Walford, the eight-year-old defeated Fox's Fancy by a neck to go one better than her second at Carlisle last month.

Ruby Island, who has finished second and third on her two other outings for the stable, was able to hold off the runner-up under Danny McMenamin and could return to the track for next month's Scottish National meeting.

"She's run consistent and well for me and it was nice to get her head in front," said Richards. "She's run decent races every time and she grounded it out well, although it was very testing ground.

"I have half a feeling she might step up in trip again. I might bring her back up here again for a 3m mares' handicap."

Richards is enjoying his best season in terms of prize-money since the 2021-22 campaign. Ruby Island's victory was the Cumbria-based trainer's 27th win this term and it bodes well for next week's Cheltenham Festival, where the stable could be represented by Famous Bridge in the Ultima Handicap Chase and Nells Son in the Grand Annual. 

"We're still having a winner or two and everything is going grand," he said. "Famous Bridge is very well in himself and we're looking forward to running him. I hope the ground is well watered, which I think it will be, and I expect him to run a good race."

Good Fortune

Crest Of Fortune continued his solid season for Anthony Honeyball when scoring for a second time in the opening 2m4½f novice hurdle.

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