Ruby rules the world as he counts Buck’s again

There proved to be no stopping Ruby Walsh for the third day in a row at the Cheltenham Festival today as he claimed his fifth victory of the week on Big Buck's in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Walsh, who rode a treble yesterday, survived a mistake by the 6-1 chance at the last to hold off Barry Geraghty and Punchestowns by a length and three-quarters.

Favourite Kasbah Bliss proved a disappointment by only finishing fourth to become the second odds-on shot to be beaten on the day.

Trainer Paul Nicholls had intended to aim Big Buck's at the Cheltenham Gold Cup this year but a final flight error in the Hennessy at Newbury in November brought a change of plan and a return to smaller obstacles.

Walsh said: "This horse has got a huge engine but when I got to Barry I thought I'd got there too soon again." Nicholls, bringing up a double on the day, said: "I was very confident we had him at his peak. Making a mistake at the last probably wouldn't have done him too much harm as he had something to aim at."

There was another shock in the day's first Grade 1 contest when hot favourite Voy Por Ustedes could only finish second to 6-1 shot Imperial Commander in the Ryanair Chase.