Nothing can stop world-class Big Buck’s making it sweet 16

Four-midable: Big Buck’s is bidding for his fourth victory in the World Hurdle

15 March 2012

The only real question on day three of the Cheltenham Festival is — can Big Buck’s land his 16th straight victory and in the process scoop his fourth World Hurdle?

Well, Grands Crus failed in his bid to serve it up to Paul Nicholls’s gelding 12 months ago and this year it’s the turn of Oscar Whisky and Thousand Stars, who finished third and fourth respectively in last season’s Champion Hurdle.

During his incredible run of wins no fewer than 72 other horses have tried to lower his colours.

Although many will see this year’s challengers as the best yet, with Ruby Walsh riding and the stamina test that the Cheltenham track demands, then I can only see one winner — BIG BUCK’S.

If you are looking for another angle on the stayers’ showpiece with Big Buck’s being on the short side, then why not have a go at a tri-cast? In the last eight renewals, seven have seen the first five in the betting finish first, second and third. The day kicks off with the Jewson Novices’ Chase at 1.30 and the contest was given a boost when connections of Peddlers Cross decided to opt for this event instead of yesterday’s Arkle Trophy.

He’s likely to go off favourite and having won at the Festival before then he’s one for the shortlist but another horse that’s tasted glory here is SIR DES CHAMPS. The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old took the Martin Pipe Hurdle 12 months ago and has won all three of his races since being switched to fences.

Next up is the Pertemps Final at 2.05 and this has been all about BUENA VISTA in recent years. The David Pipe-trained 11-year-old has landed the last two renewals and despite being 2lbs higher than last season, the Pond House team have taken some of that weight off with a jockey claim. Buena Vista is sure to take them along again at a searching pace and he’ll be hard to beat.

Many people are billing the Ryanair Chase (2.40) as the race of the meeting and with a lot of familiar names it’s easy to see why. Noble Prince won the Jewson Novices’ Chase on this day 12 months ago while horses like Poquelin and Great Endeavour are others that seem to save their best for this track.

Riverside Theatre was impressive in beating Medermit last time at Ascot but trainer Nicky Henderson’s hopeful has got to prove Cheltenham suits.

He was well beaten in the Arkle in 2010 and considering all seven previous winners of this race had won at the track before, then this is a huge statistic against him.

Add in Somersby and one of the likely favourites, Rubi Light, then we could see three or four all jumping the last in a line. However, there is one horse I’ve not mentioned yet — the winner for the past two seasons, ALBERTAS RUN. The Jonjo O’Neill yard have not had an easy time with him this season but now that he’s in the line-up he’s a horse that will have conditions in his favour — and then there’s AP McCoy doing the steering!

Day three ends with two tricky chases — first up is the Byrne Group Plate (4.00) and with all of the last 10 winners returning 12-1 or bigger, then don’t be afraid to go out on a limb here. It’s not been a great race for the Irish-trained runners but of the British-based handlers then it could pay to side with anything Venetia Williams or Nicky Henderson run since they’ve taken the spoils twice each in the last seven years.

Finally, the Kim Muir at 4.40 was won by the David Pipe-trained Junior in emphatic fashion last season and with the stable also winning this in 2003 and 2004 then keep an eye on anything they send to post.

For my Cheltenham ‘banker’ bets Like Rock On Ruby, see the offer below the World Hurdle card (left).

MORE ABOUT

Air Transport

Nothing can stop world-class Big Buck’s making it sweet 16

Read More