Buck's and Halo on course for Cheltenham

Big Buck's will go straight to Cheltenham in March as the highest-rated hurdler in training attempts to retain his Ladbrokes World Hurdle crown.

Owner Andy Stewart is looking forward to the prospect following his latest win over Karabak and Diamond Harry in the rearranged Long Walk Hurdle at Newbury

"We have decided to miss the Cleeve and go straight for the World Hurdle," said Stewart.

"He is a strange horse. He doesn't do a tap in front and he is never going to win by much further than the three or four lengths he won the other day."

"It was very testing ground and that that is the reason we are going to give him a little break. We gave him his flu injection so we'll go back and see if we can retain the title."

Stewart also outlined plans for last year's Champion Hurdle runner-up Celestial Halo, who is likely to be seen over fences next season unless he goes one better at Cheltenham in March.

The six-year-old was surprisingly beaten at long odds-on in the Boylesports.com International by Khyber Kim, and Stewart admits he will have to improve to figure in the big one. He will have one more run before the Champion in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on February 20.

"He's probably not good enough but we will go to Wincanton, if racing is ever on again! We'll give him one run and then see if we can go one better in the Champion Hurdle," said Stewart.

"We're definitely not going to jump a fence (this season) but in the event that we don't blossom at Cheltenham you will see him jump a fence (next season) and we'll have a tilt at that wretched Arkle I always seem to come second in."