NEWS
Big Buck’s repeats in World Hurdle at Cheltenham
Posted: Thursday, March 18, 2010 5:55 PM
by Myra Lewyn
Showing the endurance that made him the top staying hurdler, Big Buck’s easily powered uphill at Cheltenham on Thursday for a repeat win in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
The seven-year-old Cadoudal gelding relaxed off the pace and was barely roused after the final fence before rolling past his opponents for a 3¼-length triumph under a hand ride from jockey Ruby Walsh.
Big Buck’s had to dig deep to defeat Punchestowns in last year’s World Hurdle, but won with consummate ease in this year’s edition while posting his seventh consecutive victory and eighth win in his last nine starts.
The 5-to-6 favorite in the 14-horse field, Big Buck’s finished in 5:49.40 for the three miles over 12 hurdles, and delighted Walsh, who said his mount was special.
“He’s absolutely bolted in,” Walsh said of Big Buck’s, who is out of the Le Glorieux (GB) mare Buck’s. “He’s a horse that doesn’t want to be in front too long. He’s got a terrific engine and that was a good round of jumping. He jumped better today then he ever has done.”
Time For Rupert finished second, 11 lengths in front of Powerstation.
Bred in France by Henri Poulat, Big Buck’s is campaigned by the Stewart Family and is conditioned by champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who will send out stablemates Kauto Star and Denman on Friday for a highly anticipated showdown in Cheltenham’s marquee race—the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Each horse has previously defeated the other in the race. Kauto Star will bid for a third win in the Gold Cup after capturing the race in 2007 and ’09 while Denman will seek at second victory after winning in ‘08.
Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
