Buck's on top of the World

Big Buck's crosses the line

SKY BET ODDS
Big Buck's is an even money favourite to clinch a third successive World Hurdle crown at Cheltenham in 2011. The Paul Nicholls-trained stayer heads the antepost market for next season's race from Time For Rupert (7/1) and Peddlers Cross (14/1). Bet now

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Big Buck's gave beleaguered punters some relief when the 5-6 favourite crushed his rivals in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Paul Nicholls-trained stayer repeated his victory of 12 months ago as he drew clear on the run-in under a hands-and-heels ride from jockey Ruby Walsh, who was landing his third success of the week.

Walsh was always travelling powerfully on the seven-year-old as former Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition and Time For Rupert took the field along.

But Big Buck's loomed large in their wake turning into the straight and Walsh still had Time For Rupert to aim at going to the last, where a slight mistake by the favourite gave the leader some temporary respite.

But Walsh soon galvanised the favourite and the pair sped away on the climb to the winning post, landing the prize by three-and-a-quarter lengths with another 11 back to the staying on Powerstation in third.

Chief market rivals to Big Buck's - Karabak and Tidal Bay - were never seen with a chance.

"He's a special horse," reported the winning jockey. "He's absolutely bolted in.

"He's a horse that doesn't want to be in front too long. I knew the ones I fancied, like Karabak, would follow me though.

"He's got a terrific engine and that was a good round of jumping, he jumped better today than he ever has done."

Nicholls admitted the horse had given him cause to doubt himself following a poor gallop last week.

"He's a hugely talented horse," he said. "It's unbelievable. I worked the horses on Saturday morning - Poquelin, Master Minded, Kauto Star, the lot. They all worked well but he worked like a hairy goat.

"That's just him and I lost confidence a bit and I was sweating beforehand.

"He never hit a flat spot today. We were keen to get him fresh and you have to get into his head a bit more than anything. He's very good."

Paul Webber, trainer of the runner-up, said: "Absolutely no excuses - he's run a cracking race and it's a thrill to get that close to Big Buck's.

"William (Kennedy) has given him a copybook ride.

"He's always given us the impression that he would improve by 7lb or 8lb from his previous run which he has achieved but we are still 7lb short of Big Buck's.

"If he's OK, I would be keen to go to Liverpool with him because by the time Punchestown comes round, the going will be getting a bit quick."