Big Buck's wins World Hurdle at Cheltenham
Ruby Walsh won his fifth race at Cheltenham
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Thursday, 12, Mar 2009 09:34
Third favourite Big Buck's recovered from a poor jump at the last fence to sprint clear to victory in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Big Buck's, which was ridden by Ruby Walsh and trained by Paul Nicholls, landed awkwardly after the last fence, but managed to chase down Punchestowns and was the stronger horse up the hill to the finishing line.
Irish horse Powerstation came in at third, while pre-race favourite Kasbah Bliss looked good for much of the race, but eventually could only trail behind in fourth place.
"[Big Buck's is] a very good horse. I knew he had improved because the ground he won on over Christmas isn't his ground," said Nicholls.
"He just keeps plenty for himself and has won with his ears pricked. I was very confident we had him at his peak and he looked fantastic.
"Probably making a mistake at the last didn't do him any harm and he wasn't in front too soon then - he just digs deep. We bought him to be a Gold Cup horse, and he just might be one day, but it could be in two years' time now."
Elsewhere, Imperial Commander won the Ryanair Chase by two lengths after striding away from second placed Voy Por Ustedes, with Schindelers Hunt in third.
Trainer Venetia Williams had a day to remember as she had two winners. Her horses Kayf Aramis won the Pertemps Final and Something Wells was victorious in the Freddie Williams Plate.