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Ladbrokes World Hurdle - Analysis
17/03/11

Big Buck’s had his rivals covered, said jockey Ruby Walsh after the horse had won the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for a third time.

Big Buck’s
© Racehorse Photos

Referring to today’s race, Walsh said: “When they gathered up behind me at the top of the hill Big Buck’s came right on the bridle. Horses can see so much more behind them than the jockey can - he could see them coming and was racing more forward, but still had time to shorten up and pop the last.”

Big Buck’s won despite jockey Ruby Walsh losing his whip running to the last hurdle. He joked: “I threw it away to keep McCririck happy [commentator John McCririck would like whips banned].”

“I came to this week’s Festival knowing I would ride Quevega, Big Buck’s, Master Minded and Kauto Star who were all trying to win at the meeting for a third time. Not many horses achieve that, and while Quevega had it a bit easier than Big Buck’s it’s great to be associated with both horses.”

Big Buck’s saw off a challenge from Grands Crus, the bright young hope among staying hurdlers, but as Walsh said: “Two years ago he beat Kasbah Bliss and Punchestowns, who was a really progressive hurdler. Grands Crus looked the one we had to beat, and Mourad has done nothing wrong all winter, but Big Buck’s set the standard.”

Walsh has described Big Bucks as “a weirdo”. Expanding on that observation he said: “It’s not normal for a horse to box-walk [walk in circles around his stable] like he does. He goes round and round, but he’s not hyper.”

How good is Big Buck’s? Walsh said: “We’ve never got to the bottom of him, other than the day we ran him over two miles and fences at Newbury. He’s matured mentally and is a lot easier than in the past. He’s such a good horse and has such a big engine, that even when you make a schoolboy error and lose your whip in a Grade 1 race he gets you out of trouble.”

NICHOLLS BECOMES THE BOX WALKER OVER BUCK’S

After Big Buck’s third Festival success in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, trainer Paul Nicholls admitted to some anxiety in the build-up.

Nicholls said: “I’m proud of the whole team, and especially of Ruby for getting back from injury and riding so well this week. It’s not as if everything was in Big Buck’s favour - they were unlikely to go a good gallop, the ground was a bit quicker, but Ruby knows him better than anyone and he maintained Big Buck’s was the one to beat.

“One or two of ours have been beaten, but he must have known it was his day, because when Clifford Baker our head lad went to feed him this morning the horse wasn’t box walking, he was galloping around his box.”

Of Big Buck’s personality, Nicholls said: “He’s just a funny character and has been like that since we got him. On Saturday he did a bit of work and his groom, Rose [Loxton], said he didn’t go very well, and I had to agree. That sort of thing makes you nervous, but he was simply saying ‘I’ve done enough’.

“We have to manage him - he’s like a big kid. He was made South West horse of the year last season and so we took him to Newton Abbot in the summer. We paraded him, but for two hours he stood in his box shouting like a two-year-old.

“That said he is a real racehorse and the crowd appreciate him. They cheered him from the moment he pulled up today. It’s awesome for him, awesome for racing - it’s hard to explain what that feels like for me, his trainer.

“I’ve got to know him better, but the one thing I have to watch is that I don’t under-do him before a race. When he won at Newbury this season he blew like he’d just had his first canter. He doesn’t do a lot at home. In the past we probably didn’t get him fit enough, and he would take a gulp in his race which might have looked like a flat spot before running on.”


WINNER - BIG BUCK'S FACTFILE

BIG BUCK'S (FR)
8 b/br g Cadoudal (FR) - Buck´s (FR) (Le Glorieux)
Form: 53/6U3440016/12121301/U1111/1111-111 Owner: The Stewart Family
Breeder: Henri Poulat
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Ruby Walsh

- Becomes only the second horse to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle three times, following Inglis Drever (2005, 2007 & 2008) and the first horse to win the race on three successive occasions.

- Unbeaten in 11 starts over hurdles since unseating his jockey in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November, 2008

French import Big Buck's boasted a decent level of form over hurdles in his native country and his two best performances came in his final two runs for his previous connections, winning a Grade Two contest at Auteuil in May, 2007, before returning to the same venue to finish second to Good Bye Simon in the Grade One Prix Alain du Breil a month later. He joined the powerful Paul Nicholls yard for the start of the 2007/08 season and was successful on his first start in Britain, beating Barbers Shop by a neck in a Newbury beginners' chase at the start of December. He returned to the Berkshire course for his subsequent two starts in novice chases, coming second to Moon Over Miami at the end of December prior to beating Kruguyrova the following month. Kruguyrova re-opposed in the Grade Two Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Warwick two weeks later, when the Charles Egerton-trained mare gamely prevailed from Ring The Boss, with Big Buck's a further four lengths back in third. Big Buck's headed for the Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase at The Festival in 2008, finishing seventh. He then triumphed over an extended three miles in the Grade Two John Smith´s Mildmay Novices´ Chase at Aintree's Grand National meeting in April, when RSA Chase victor Albertas Run was back in third. The 2008/09 season began with a tilt at the Hennessy Gold Cup Chase at Newbury on November 29, as Big Buck's aimed to become the first five-year-old to win the race. He was staying on well in third under Sam Thomas but blundered badly at the final fence, unseating his jockey. Despite the initial disappointment, that mistake has proved to be a huge blessing in disguise as connections decided to return the gelding to the smaller obstacles and he has since become one of the best staying hurdlers of modern times. His unbeaten record of 10 started with a cosy one & three-quarter length success over future John Smith's Grand National winner Don't Push It under top-weight in the Unicoin Homes Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in January, 2009. Suitably impressed, connections let Big Buck's return to Cheltenham for the Grade Two Cleeve Hurdle on Festival Trials Day later the same month. On heavy ground, Big Buck's once again forged clear up the hill to inflict a four-length defeat on Punchestowns. He renewed rivalry with Nicky Henderson's charge in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at The Festival in March and took the staying hurdlers' crown with a length and three-quarter success over that foe. He then rounded off a remarkable season with a three and a quarter length win over Mighty Man in the Grade Two Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree in April. The 2009/2010 campaign continued in a similar vein with Big Buck's dominating the staying hurdler division. He kicked off the campaign with a seven-length defeat of Lough Derg in the Grade Two Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury at the end of November and saw off Karabak to land the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at the same venue the following month. He headed straight to Cheltenham following that win and recorded a second successive victory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, this time powering up the hill to inflict a three and a quarter-length thrashing to Time For Rupert. He ended that season with another ready win in Aintree's Liverpool Hurdle, which was run as a Grade One contest for the first time in 2010. Big Buck's has made two starts so far this season, both at Newbury, and his aura of invincibility shows little sign of fading. After kicking off the campaign with a facile three-length verdict over Duc De Regniere in the Long Distance Hurdle on November 27, Big Buck's returned to the Berkshire course to contest the Long Walk Hurdle on December 29, which had been moved from Ascot for a second successive year due to frost. Big Buck's posted another easy success in the gloomy conditions, coming home six lengths ahead of Lough Derg. He was always prominent in gaining his third successive Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham today and gamely fought off all challenges after the last. He came back to a wonderful reception from the Cheltenham crowd who gave him three cheers.
Race Record: Starts: 31; Wins: 16; 2nd: 2; 3rd: 3; Win & Place Prize Money: £925,674

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LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE PAST RESULTS

2010-WINNER-BIG BUCK’S 7-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nichols; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-5/6 Fav
2ND-Time For Rupert 6-11-10 Owner-Littlecote Racing Partnership; Trainer-Paul Webber; Jockey-Will Kennedy; SP-16/1
3RD-Powerstation 10-11-10 Owner-Fat Frog Syndicate; Trainer-Eamon O’Connell IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara; SP-33/1
14 ran, Time-5m 49.40s; Dist-3.25, 11

2009-WINNER-BIG BUCK’S 6-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-6/1
2ND-Punchestowns 6-11-10 Owner-Judy Wilson; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-100/30
3RD-Powerstation 9-11-10 Owner-Fat Frog Syndicate; Trainer-Eamon O’Connell IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara; SP-25/1
14 ran, Time 5m 57.00s; Dist 1.75, 17 10/11 Fav Kasbah Bliss (4th)

2008-WINNER-INGLIS DREVER 9-11-10 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Denis O’Regan; SP-11/8 Fav
2ND-Kasbah Bliss 6-11-10 Owner-Henri De Pracomtal; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Christophe Pieux; SP-9/1
3RD-Kazal 7-11-10 Owner- Joseph Comerford; Trainer-Eoin Griffin IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-12/1
17 ran, Time-5m 52.90s; Dist-1, 7

2007-WINNER-INGLIS DREVER 8-11-10 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-5/1
2ND-Mighty Man 7-11-10 Owner-Joss Hanbury; Trainer-Henry Daly; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-100/30
3RD-Blazing Bailey 5-11-10 Owner-Three Line Whip; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-8/1
14 ran, Time-5m 46.50s; Dist-3/4, 4 2/1 Fav Black Jack Ketchum (Fell)

2006-WINNER-MY WAY DE SOLZEN 6-11-10 Owner-B Winfield, A Longman, J Wright & C Fenton; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-8/1
2ND-Golden Cross 7-11-10 Owner-P Johnson; Trainer-Michael Halford IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-5/1
3RD-Mighty Man 6-11-10 Owner-Joss Hanbury; Trainer-Henry Daly; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-4/1 Fav
20 ran, Time-5m 38.40s; Dist-hd, 4

2005-WINNER-INGLIS DREVER 6-11-10 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-5/1
2ND-Baracouda 10-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-6/5 Fav
3RD-Rule Supreme 9-11-10 Owner-John Fallon; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-David Casey; SP-4/1
12 ran, Time-5m 48.40s; Dist-3, 3/4

2004-WINNER-IRIS’S GIFT 7-11-10 Owner-Robert Lester; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/2
2ND-Baracouda 9-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Thierry Doumen; SP-8/11 Fav
3RD-Crystal D’Ainay 5-11-10 Owner-Tony & Jeni Fisher; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-8/1
10 ran, Time-5m 49.80s; Dist-1½, 13

2003-WINNER-BARACOUDA 8-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Thierry Doumen; SP-9/4 Jt Fav
2ND-Iris’s Gift 6-11-10 Owner-Robert Lester; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/1
3RD-Limestone Lad 11-11-10 Owner-James Bowe; Trainer-James Bowe IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-9/4 Jt Fav
11 ran, Time-5m 41.25s; Dist- 3/4, 5

2002-WINNER-BARACOUDA 7-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Thierry Doumen; SP-13/8 Fav
2ND-Bannow Bay 7-11-10 Owner-Linda Shanahan and Sue Magnier; Trainer-Christy Roche IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-2/1
3RD-It Takes Time 8-11-10 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-12/1
16 ran, Time-6m 01.70s; Dist-nk, 13

2001 Cancelled

2000-WINNER-BACCHANAL 6-11-10 Owner-Lady Lloyd-Webber; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-11/2
2ND-Limestone Lad 8-11-10 Owner-James Bowe; Trainer-James Bowe IRE; Jockey-Shane McGovern; SP-3/1
3RD-Behrajan 5-11-10 Owner-The Behrajan Partnership; Trainer-Henry Daly; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-8/1
10 ran, Time-5m 36.60s; Dist-1, 3 5/2 Fav Lady Rebecca (6th)

1999-WINNER-ANZUM 8-11-10 Owner-The Old Foresters Partnership; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-40/1
2ND-Le Coudray 5-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-2/1 Jt-Fav
3RD-Lady Rebecca 7-11-05 Owner-Kinnersley Optimists; Trainer-Venetia Williams; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-3/1
12 ran, Time-5m 51.7s; Dist-nk, 2½ 2/1 Jt-Fav Deano’s Beeno (9th)

1998-WINNER-PRINCEFUL 7-11-10 Owner-Robert Hitchins; Trainer-Jenny Pitman; Jockey-Rodney Farrant; SP-16/1
2ND-Splendid Thyne 6-11-10 Owner-John Glavanoni; Trainer-Terry Casey; Jockey-Warren Marston; SP-10/1
3RD-Ocean Hawk 6-11-10; Owner-Matt Archer & Jean Broadhurst; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-5/1 9 ran, Time-5m 45.9s; Dist-2, 4 6/4 Fav Paddy’s Return (5th)

1997-WINNER-KARSHI 7-11-10 Owner-Lord Vestey; Trainer-Henrietta Knight; Jockey-Jamie Osborne; SP-20/12ND-Anzum 6-11-10 Owner-The Old Foresters Partnership; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-25/1
3RD-Paddy’s Return 5-11-10 Owner-Paddy O’Donnell; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-20/1
17 ran, Time-5m 43.9s, Dist-2½, 2 9/2 Fav Escartefigue (5th)

1996-WINNER-CYBORGO 6-11-10 Owner-County Stores (Somerset) Ltd; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-David Bridgwater; SP-8/1
2ND-Mysilv 6-11-05 Owner-Elite Racing Club; Trainer-Charlie Egerton; Jockey-Jimmy McCarthy; SP-16/1
3RD-What A Question 8-11-05 Owner-Joy Valentine; Trainer-Mouse Morris IRE; Jockey-Conor O’Dwyer; SP-33/1
19 ran, Time-5m 47.3s, Dist-3/4, 10 4/1 Fav Derrymoyle (4th)

LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE ROLL OF HONOUR
(Ladbrokes World Hurdle from 2005, bonusprint.com Stayers’ Hurdle 2004, Bonusprint Stayers’ Hurdle 1991-2003, Waterford Crystal Stayers’ Hurdle 1978-90, Lloyds Bank Hurdle 1972-77)

Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran

2010 Big Buck’s 7-11-10  Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls The Stewart Family 5/6F 14
2009 Big Buck’s 6-11-10 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls The Stewart Family 6/1 14
2008 Inglis Drever 9-11-10 Denis O’Regan Howard Johnson Andrea & Graham Wylie 11/8F 17
2007 Inglis Drever 8-11-10 Paddy Brennan Howard Johnson Andrea & Graham Wylie 5/1 14
2006 My Way De Solzen 6-11-10 Robert Thornton Alan King B Winfield, A Longman, J Wright, C Fenton 8/1 20
2005 Inglis Drever 6-11-10 Graham Lee Howard Johnson Andrea & Graham Wylie 5/1 12
2004 Iris’s Gift 7-11-10 Barry Geraghty Jonjo O’Neill Robert Lester 9/2 10
2003 Baracouda 8-11-10 Thierry Doumen Francois Doumen FR J P McManus 9/4JF 11
2002 Baracouda 7-11-10 Thierry Doumen Francois Doumen FR J P McManus 13/8F 16
2001 No Race (Foot and Mouth)
2000 Bacchanal 6-11-10 Mick Fitzgerald Nicky Henderson Lady Lloyd-Webber 11/2 10
1999 Anzum 8-11-10 Richard Johnson David Nicholson Old Foresters Partnership 40/1 12
1998 Princeful 7-11-10 Rodney Farrant Jenny Pitman Robert Hitchins 16/1 9
1997 Karshi 7-11-10 Jamie Osborne Henrietta Knight Lord Vestey 20/1 17
1996 Cyborgo 6-11-10 David Bridgwater Martin Pipe County Stores (Somerset) Holdings 8/1 19
1995 Dorans Pride 6-11-10 Shane Broderick Michael Hourigan IRE Tom Doran 11/4F 11
1994 Balasani 8-11-10 Mark Perrett Martin Pipe Mark Smith 9/2JF 14
1993 Shuil Ar Aghaidh7-11-05 Charlie Swan Paddy Kiely IRE Mrs Paddy Kiely 20/1 12
1992 Nomadic Way 7-11-10 Jamie Osborne Barry Hills Robert Sangster 15/2 17
1991 King’s Curate 7-11-10 Mark Perrett Stan Mellor C J Ells 5/2F 15
1990 Trapper John 6-11-10 Charlie Swan Mouse Morris IRE Jill Fanning 15/2 22
1989 Rustle 7-11-10 Michael Bowlby Nicky Henderson Robert Waley-Cohen 4/1 21
1988 Galmoy 9-11-10 Tommy Carmody John Mulhern IRE Miss D Threadwell 2/1F 16
1987 Galmoy 8-11-10 Tommy Carmody John Mulhern IRE Miss D Threadwell 9/2 14
1986 Crimson Embers 11-11-10 Stuart Shilston Fulke Walwyn Sally Smart 12/1 19
1985 Rose Ravine 6-11-05 Ricky Pusey Fulke Walwyn Sally Smart 5/1F 22
1984 Gaye Chance 9-11-10 Sam Morshead Mercy Rimell Mary Curtis 5/1 14
1983 A Kinsman 7-11-12 Geordie Dun John Brockbank Mrs John Brockbank 50/1 21
1982 Crimson Embers 7-11-12 Stuart Shilston Fulke Walwyn Sally Smart 2/1F 11
1981 Derring Rose 6-11-12 John Francome Fred Winter Peter Savill 3/1 14
1980 Mountrivers 6-11-12 Tommy Ryan Edward O’Grady IRE B Burser 7/1 19
1979 Lighter 6-11-12 Philip Blacker John Edwards G Smith 14/1 14
1978 Flame Gun 6-11-12 Mr Niall Madden Edward O’Grady IRE Mary Kenny 14/1 13
1977 Town Ship 6-11-12 Tommy Carberry Peter Easterby Pat Muldoon 5/2 11
1976 Bit Of A Jig 8-11-12 Dessie Hughes Mick O’Toole IRE Mrs Mick O’Toole 2/1F 12
1975 Brown Lad 9-11-12 Tommy Carberry Jim Dreaper IRE Mrs Peter Burrell 7/4F 12
1974 Highland Abbe 8-11-12 Richard Smith Les Kennard Mrs K Hankey 15/2 15
1973 Moyne Royal 8-11-12 David Mould Arthur Pitt E Cook 10/1 8
1972 Parlour Moor 8-11-12 Macer Gifford Tom Jones Charlotte Monckton 13/2 11