Big Buck's on comeback trail Big Buck's could be back in action in the New Year as he continues to make progress from the leg injury that saw him miss the second half of last season. The undisputed champion staying hurdler has been sidelined since taking his winning run to 18 when landing the Long Distance Hurdle for the fourth year running at Newbury last December. However, trainer Paul Nicholls reports Andy Stewart's 10-year-old to be on the road back as Big Buck's showed his wellbeing when parading before racing at Wincanton. "Big Buck's is back cantering and he'll keep that up over the next six weeks. He seems every bit back to normal and hopefully he'll be ready for a run at the end of January," said Nicholls. Al Ferof has been out of action since November with a tendon injury, but he too is well on the way to making a return to the racecourse. "Al Ferof is good and will start off over two and a half miles at Ascot next month," said the Ditcheat handler. "The King George is the plan after that. You'd suggest he'd stay three miles, so we'll try it." Silviniaco Conti is an established three-mile star for Nicholls and the seven-year-old is on target to bid for back-to-back victories in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 23. "Silviniaco Conti is in great shape and the plan is to start him off in the Betfair Chase," he said.
