Big Buck's will go straight for World Hurdle - Nicholls

Big Buck's: will follow the same route Paul Nicholls mapped out last year

  PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)  Big Buck's heads straight for Festival - Nicholls
 By Racing Post staff 1:14PM 4 JAN2011 BIG BUCK'S, the odds-on favourite for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, will sidestep a bid for the Betfair Cleeve Hurdle and head straight to the Cheltenham Festival, trainer Paul Nicholls has revealed.

RELATED LINKS World Hurdle betting Free bets  Nicholls on Tuesday said that he had opted to give the two-time World Hurdle winner a break before his attempt at a third consecutive win in the Grade 1 staying hurdle championship, for which he is a 4-7 shot.

 

The move reflects the campaign Nicholls mapped out for Big Buck's last year, who followed his win in the Long Walk Hurdle in December with victories at Cheltenham in March and Aintree in April.

The trainer said: "Andy

Big Buck's all set for Newbury reappearance

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Only seven willing to tackle Big Buck's in Long Distance

Big Buck's (right) winning at last season's Cheltenham Festival

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  Only seven willing to tackle Big Buck's By Paul Eacott 12:54PM 23 NOV 2010 BIG BUCK'S will face a maximum of seven rivals, the nearest of which is rated 20lb inferior, when he lines up in Saturday's Grade 2 Sportingbet.com Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.

RELATED LINKS Newbury card  The presence of the dual Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner meant the race was reoffered but still only seven others could befound willing to take him on, one of which is rated an incredible 90lb below the 174-rated Big Buck's.

 

The Nicky Henderson-trained Duc de Regniere would appear to be the most credible opposition on Official Ratings, with the likes of Afsoun and Arcalis having had their better days in the past.

Philip Hobbs has entered Duke Of Lucca and Nigel Twiston-Davies Kayf Aramis. Neptune Equester could have a first start over hurdles at the age of seven, while the 90-rated Spider Boy looks to have an impossible task.

 

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