Buck jumps into World frame

Big Buck's put himself bang in the picture for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle when landing the Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Punchestowns was made 10-11 favourite for the three mile event but Nicky Henderson's charge found the former chaser too good from the last.

Ruby Walsh brought the 7/2 chance with a perfectly timed run to challenge between the final two flights and pulled clear in the closing stages to record a four-length win.

"We made mistakes with him last year and it was only when he ran over three miles at Aintree that we saw what he was capable of," said trainer Paul Nicholls.

"We just decided after the Hennessy that with Kauto Star and Denman and the like, it wouldn't do him any harm to go back over hurdles as he's only six and he can run in other Gold Cups.

"I don't want to say anything more about the Hennessy but I have no doubt Ruby would have won on him. It's hard on Sam, but he didn't really know the horse and Ruby is great on him.

"Doing this has been the making of him.

"He was getting 8lb but better ground will help us too and I think he's got a great chance in the World Hurdle."

Walkon was another to enhance his reputation ahead of the Festival with victory in the Wragge & Co Juvenile Novices' Hurdle in workmanlike fashion.

Alan King's four-year-old was sent off 6-5 favourite after winning at Chepstow and the odds were fully justified as Robert Thornton drove his partner clear of Reve De Sivola on the run-in.

"This horse has done nothing but physically improve, even since his run at Newbury," said King. "I got him last July, gelded him and he just fell to pieces on me.

"I don't know whether it was the penalty that caused him to be beaten by Zaynar (at Newbury) or just that he's improved since.

"I wouldn't think he will run again until the Festival."