Rubi Ball

THE possibility of a rematch between Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run and his former French rival Rubi Ball increased on Sunday when the connections of France's highest-rated chaser suggested a trip to Britain next year is now "definitely" an option.

Rubi Ball's owner Patrick Papot was talking after Long Run's one-time compatriot confirmed himself very much on course for the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris - the French Gold Cup - with an easy defeat of quality opposition in one of the race's principal trials, the Prix Troytown.

Always travelling smoothly under David Cottin, Rubi Ball, whose only mistake came four fences from home, cruised into thelead after the second-last fence of the Group 2 event and thereafter was never in danger, easing to a four-length defeat of Doumaja with last year's Grand Steep winner Polar Rochelais back in fourth.

While this year's Grand Steep remains very much Rubi Ball's main aim, connections are also eyeing a fourth meeting with Long Run, who twice beat Rubi Ball at Auteuil when trained by Guillaume Macaire having previously been defeated by Rubi Ball in the 2009 Prix Ferdinand Dufaure.

Papot - whose six-year-old will run next in the Prix Murat on April 17 - said: "He won nicely but this race was not his objective which is the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris at the end of May. We dream about the race all the time for him.

"Next year we will definitely think about running Rubi Ball in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham."


Would definitely add a bit of spice to the Gold Cup next year.  The quotes of 16/1 for the 2012 Gold Cup are ridiculous as he would need to prove he can jump British fences, and obviously not a certain runner; but would be great to see another young exciting prospect locking horns with Long Run again.

I can't find any vids of his races but it would be great to see him line up maybe in the King George to see if he can live up to his reputation.