There seems no reason to oppose BIG BUCK'S, winner of the Stayers Hurdle at the Festival for the last two years and unbeaten since switching back to the smaller obstacles. Paul Nicholls' seven-year-old was an easy winner on his reappearance at Newbury when giving 8lb to Duc De Regniere, Arcalis and Kayf Aramis and should have nothing to fear from those rivals off level weights here. Restless Harry disappointed at Cheltenham last week and may have stamina issues over this longer trip but Lough Derg can never be ruled out back over his favourite track, though he's been way below his best so far this season.
Afsoun (FR) 66-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway into mid-division when brought down 3 out, in a race won by Lush Life (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd, 16 ran.
Arcalis 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd soon after last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Big Buck's (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov.
Big Buck's (FR) 2-7fav (11-8) Held up in last pair, staedy headway on outside 6th, chased leaders 8th, 3rd travelling well before 3 out, soon challenging, led soon after 2 out, pushed along and stayed on strongly flat, won at Newbury 3m hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov beating Duc De Regniere (11-0) by 3l, 6 ran.
Duc De Regniere (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leading trio, headway to 2nd before 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon joined, ridden and headed soon after, driven one pace and no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Big Buck's (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov.
Kayf Aramis 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place 6th, outpaced 3 out, kept on under pressure approaching last, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 16l behind Karabak (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs.
Lough Derg (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Led, slow 4 out, headed before next, weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, 42l behind Silviniaco Conti (11-4) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov.
Restless Harry 11-2 (11-6) Pressed leader, mistake 3rd, led after 3 out to next, soon ridden and one pace, no impression approaching last, 7th of 12, 18l behind Karabak (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs.
