13 aim for World glory

Big Buck's faces 12 rivals as he bids for a fourth consecutive victory in Thursday's Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Paul Nicholls' star stayer arrives at Prestbury Park unbeaten in his last 15 starts and he is a short-price to make it 16 wins on the spin.

Nicholls also fields Five Dream and King Of The Night in the three-mile heat.

Nicky Henderson's Oscar Whisky has emerged as a credible challenger to Big Buck's this term and he takes his chance while David Pipe's Dynaste, who finished second to Big Buck's last time, also tries his luck again.

Willie Mullins has a strong hand with Mikael d'Haguenet, Mourad, So Young and Thousand Stars with the Colm Murphy-trained Voler La Vedette another Irish-trained challenger.

Alan King's Smad Place, the Jennie Candlish-trained Cross Kennon and and Gordon Elliott's Carlito Brigante round out the contenders.