Brilliant Buck's shines again

Big Buck's: Brilliant again in winning the Long Walh Hurdle

Big Buck's stretched his unbeaten sequence to 14 races to in the Lough Derg Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

Paul Nicholls' three-time Ladbroke World Hurdle winner momentarily looked to be in trouble when leader Dynaste skipped over the third last and looked to increase the tempo.

However Ruby Walsh had the move covered and the 3-10 favourite was in front turning for home.

From there the jockey was a passenger as his partner sauntered to an eight lengths win over stablemate Five Dream (66-1).

All Class

Nicholls said: "He's all class. He looked fat at Newbury and I thought he was a lot fitter today.

"He's such a character and you've really got to manage him. But he was really good today and I hope he will continue to be hard to beat.

"We'll have to see, but I wouldn't have thought he would run again until Cheltenham.

"He won't ever go over fences now, he doesn't like them and he is too good at that job."

Walsh said: "He's an incredible stayer with loads of pace. He's just a very good horse. He's maturing and growing up.

"Going right-handed wasn't an issue, it might have been a few years ago but now now. He's incredible."

Nicholls was also responsible for Five Dream, and said: "I thought he was going to run a good race on his last run and he will go for the Cleeve Hurdle now."

Dynaste Dilemma

David Pipe said of fourth home Dynaste, who was stepping up markedly in class after a facile Haydock win: "It was a good run but that was graded company.

"We will have to sit down and have a think about where he goes next."

Sky Bet and Boylesports reacted by cutting the winner to 1-2 (from 4-7) for a fourth World Hurdle in March. Stan James are 4-7 from 8-11. Ladbrokes, sponsors of the Cheltenham feature, now go 4-6, non-runner/no bet.