Buck's extends winning sequence Big Buck's extended his winning sequence to 12, and was scoring for the fourth successive year at the Aintree Festival, when easily landing odds of 4/6 in the BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle. Ruby Walsh's mount and Grand Crus (3/1) drew clear in the straight but the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding was never in any trouble as he cruised home on the run-in to beat his chief market-rival by five lengths. The Sabrina Harty-trained Won In The Dark ran a cracker at 66/1, staying on at one pace a further seven lengths adrift in third. Gordon Elliott's Carlito Brigante, successful at Cheltenham last month in the Coral Cup, was beginning to lose touch with the two principals when making a mistake two out and eventually finished fourth. Davy Russell was having his first ride back on Carlito Brigante since breaking a bone in his left hand at Thurles a fortnight ago, and the Youghal native reported no ill effects afterwards. Nicholls was obviously delighted saying: “He was awesome and that was probably as good a performance as he's ever given. He'll have a nice summer holiday and come back next season for the same four races.” Ruby Walsh said: “He was very good today. He bolted in. If anything he was a bit keen but he's a wonderful horse and a pleasure to ride.”
