Buck's lands the odds in Aintree opener Big Buck's (30-100 favourite) maintained his unbeaten record over timber with victory in the BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree. While Ruby Walsh had to work harder on Paul Nicholls' seven-year-old than he did in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham three weeks ago, he never looked likely to get beat. Henry Daly's Possol made a bold bid from the front and was still leading over the second-last, but Walsh had still to pop the question. Souffleur ran a cracker to run on past Possol for second with Tidal Bay a never-nearer fourth. Nicholls said: "He's always like that. I was a bit worried. It was a small field and probably you're not going to get an end-to-end gallop like you get in these championship races when he can hit a flat spot. "It was difficult for Ruby. You don't want to be in front and have him pull himself up three out. He'll have a nice holiday now. "It was quite nerve wracking. The pressure's on and you just want it to go right. "I suspect he'll stick to hurdles next year. We have schooled him over baby fences at home and he did it really well. I don't think he would have done that last year. "We have got the option (of going chasing) in the future. Next year the plan would be to stay hurdling. We have got the option and can look at chasing the following year. He's still only seven." Walsh added: "He has a habit of making a mistake or two. He's jumped very well all the same. "It's pretty much good ground all the way. It was a true-run race and he picked up really well in the straight. "He pinged the last and he was only doing enough to stay in front, that's what he does."
