Big Buck's has Big Engine

Big Buck's justified the decision to send him back over hurdles as Ruby Walsh continued his stranglehold on the meeting when they landed the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Paul Nicholls trains Andy Stewart's gelding, who unseated Sam Thomas at the last in the Hennessy at Newbury back in November. He has won twice over flights since, both at Cheltenham, in preparation for this staying highlight.

The big three in the market, Punchestowns, Big Buck's and favourite, Kasbah Bliss, had it between them in the straight and when the winner landed awkwardly at the last it seemed as if the former might hold him off. As it happened connections feel the blunder may have helped him.

Ruby Walsh, said of his fifth winner: "I never jumped a hurdle down the back but I was delighted to see Christophe (Pieux, rider of Kasbah Bliss) arrive on my outside because I was full sure he'd be behind me. This horse has a huge engine but it is just getting it out of him in time.

"He had loads left. When I got to Barry (Geraghty, rider of Punchestowns) he came on it and I said I'm here too soon again but he fluffed the last and I always knew I'd get him back. This is an unbelievable meeting for me and this is a cracking horse."

Nicholls said: "He is a very very good horse. I knew he'd improve because the ground he won on at Christmas isn't his ground and the better the race the better he'd be because he does keep plenty to himself. He has gone and won with his ears pricked. I was very confident that we had him at his best today. He looked fantastic, that's the way they've got to be here. We've got one back on Nicky (Henderson, trainer of Punchestowns and Punjabi, beat Nicholls' Celestial Halo in the Champion Hurdle) from Tuesday.

"Probably making the mistake at the last wouldn't have done him any harm because 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. That is probably in two years time now."

Andy Stewart said: "I told Paul he was bonkers when he said he was sending him hurdling but he is a genius."

Punchestowns was the length and three quarters runner-up whilst Powerstation ran well to be third, a further seventeen lengths adrift. There were no excuses offered by connections of Kasbah Bliss, the 10/11 shot, who finished fourth.

Paul Nicholls now joins Willie Mullins on the three winner mark for the meeting. (EM)