RACING:RUBI LIGHT delighted his trainer Robbie Hennessy when coming through a serious gallop ahead of the next week's Lexus Chase at Leopardstown with flying colours.

The six-year-old has had a stop-start season to date, falling at the last on his return with the race won and then having been struck down with a viral infection, but he showed he was back on song when landing the John Durkan earlier this month.

He is now set to step up to three miles for the first time on December 28th and Hennessy could not be happier with his star turn following a racecourse gallop at Dundalk.

“We took him to Dundalk this morning for a spin over a mile and a half and everything went grand,” said Hennessy. Andrew (Lynch, jockey) had a sit on him and he worked with Table Mountain.

“It was nothing too mad but it should put him spot-on for Leopardstown.

“Andrew was delighted with him. When he got off him in Punchestown he said he was getting a bit tired and that he’d come on for the run and we’re expecting that to be the case.

“The horse is fit and well and the track should suit him. He’s done most of his racing right-handed but he ran a blinder going left-handed in Cheltenham (third in Ryanair Chase), so I wouldn’t expect that to be a problem at all.

“It’s a good race but we’re very hopeful of a big run. We’ll certainly know more about which way we’re going after the run.”

As expected, Paul Nicholls has supplemented Noland in the absence of intended runner Denman, who was retired last week. Willie Mullins has Cooldine and The Midnight Club engaged, while other interesting contenders include China Rock, Bostons Angel and Joncol.