Ruby and Darlan clash at Doncaster

Last year’s Champion Hurdle hero Rock On Ruby heads a small but select team of just four runners in the 32 Red Hurdle at Doncaster today.

Impressive Christmas Hurdle winner Darlan and Countrywide Flame, winner of the Triumph and Fighting Fifth Hurdles, add plenty of spice to a Listed contest run on a card added by the British Horseracing Authority last week following the spate of recent abandonments.

Completing the quartet is Clerk’s Choice, who is no slouch and was sixth to Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival.