Big Bucks got his season off to the best possible start at Newbury at the end of November with a bloodless victory in the Grade 2 Sportingbet Long Distance Hurdle, 5 lengths ahead of stablemate Five Dream.

In doing so, the 8 year old equalled the mighty Bula’s winning sequence of thirteen back to back victories over hurdles, and is now only three off the all time record of sixteen – still held by Sir Ken.

The win also sent out warning signals to other prospective World Hurdle hopefuls that he is very much on course to win the event at Cheltenham for a record breaking fourth consecutive time.

Paul Nicholls has nominated the Lough Derg Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday as Big Bucks’ next port of call. The race is named in memory of David Pipe’s recently retired gritty stayer, who coincidently was 7 lengths adrift of Big Bucks in last seasons running of this race when staged at Newbury.

At this stage of the season, the Andy Stewart owned gelding would be many of the big hitting punters idea of ante-post banker material, who is a standout 5/6 chance with Sportingbet.

Chief threats in the market, include Oscar Whisky, who got back to winning ways at Cheltenham at the weekend on the back of a last flight tumble when upsides Overturn at Ascot, and Willie Mullins’ recent Morgiana Hurdle scorer Thousand Stars. Both horses are currently trading around the 8/1 mark, with the latter named looking good eachway value.

Whilst it is incredibly difficult to envisage Big Bucks – who is controversially referred to by many as the best horse in Ditcheat – getting beat, with just over three months until the big day, anything can happen in this wonderful game, and it rates a risky proposition to slap the heard earned on.

That said, such is the public’s belief in this animal’s ability that some may see this price as “value” and worthy of an investment. One thing’s for sure, should Big Bucks pass his next test with flying colours in the manner expected of him, his price will drop markedly and any “value” will most certainly disappear.

Odds on cheltenham favourite Big Bucks

Big Bucks

Bryan Orr

I am an all round sports enthusiast, but my passion rests with Horseracing. In particular, National Hunt, which is very fortunate as the season is just getting into full swing.

My love for the sport stems from when I was a young lad, regularly in attendance at my local racecourse, Downpatrick. A decade later and my thirst for knowledge of the sport of Kings is as rife now as it was then. I recently got accepted onto the BHA Graduate Programme, and for two months was stationed at Newton Abbot Racecourse and absolutely loved it! I’m really looking forward to writing about racing, and as I’m fond of a flutter, hopefully steer you in the direction of one or two winners.

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