Friday, March 19, 2010

Cheltenham Festival 2010: Big Buck's and Ruby Walsh canter to World Hurdle win


Big Buck's won back-to-back renewals of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle with an effortless victory under Ruby Walsh.

Walsh's mount was hard on the bridle throughout and try as Time For Rupert might, he could never put the 5-6 favourite under enough pressure.

War Of Attrition made most of the running but Time For Rupert took over turning into the straight, although Walsh could be seen travelling ominously well.

The Cheltenham Festival's winning-most jockey had a leisurely look around for dangers but they were non existent and after a slightly scrappy jump at the last. Big Buck's was pushed out with hands and heels for a three-and-a-quarter-length win.

Powerstation was back in third, the same position he filled 12 months ago.

Walsh said: "He's a special horse. He's absolutely bolted in.

"He's a horse that doesn't want to be in front too long. I knew the ones I fancied, like Karabak, would follow me though.

"He's got a terrific engine and that was a good round of jumping, he jumped better today than he ever has done."

Winning trainer Paul Nicholls said: "He's a hugely talented horse. It's unbelievable. I worked the horses on Saturday morning - Poquelin, Master Minded, Kauto Star, the lot. They all worked well but he worked like a hairy goat.

"That's just him and I lost confidence a bit and I was sweating beforehand.

"He never hit a flat spot today. We were keen to get him fresh and you have to get into his head a bit more than anything. He's very good."

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