Big Buck’s bid for a record-equalling third win in the World Hurdle remains very much on course, and his consistency in the stayers’ division means that he’ll be the banker of the entire meeting for many people.
The champ
Big Buck's was unfortunate not to take the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup when parting company with his rider at the last, but since reverting to the smaller obstacles he has proven unbeatable, racking up 10 consecutive victories along the way.
Paul Nicholls’ eight-year-old arrives here having followed an identical path to the one trodden 12 months ago. Victories in Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle and Long Walk Hurdle came against opposition some way inferior to what he’ll face in this race, but there is no reason to believe that he isn’t as good as ever.
His propensity to hit a flat spot in races is something he shares with great stayers of the past such as Baracouda and Inglis Drever, but just like those champions he finds a huge amount off the bridle.
The fact that he often idles on the run-in means he rarely runs out a wide-margin winner, but that shouldn’t detract from the total superiority he has displayed over his rivals in recent years.
The challengers
While Big Buck’s repels his rivals by grinding them into submission and just doing enough, his chief market rival has dismissed the opposition he’s faced with a series of visually impressive victories this season.
The flashy Grands Crus has emerged from the handicap ranks to threaten the status quo.
Having accounted for the progressive For Non Stop on his seasonal reappearance and another improving type in Barafundle on his penultimate start, he really revealed himself as a creditable rival to the favourite when spread-eagling the field in the Cleeve Hurdle, a key trial for this race over course and distance.
A feature of each of his runs this season has been that he’s coasted to comfortable victories despite pulling his riders arms out through much of the race. Running with the choke out in a handicap where you’re far superior to your rivals or in a slowly run prep is one thing, but doing it against a rival of Big Buck’s calibre in a championship race around here is quite another. Consenting to settle would boost his prospects immeasurably.
David Pipe’s rising star has clearly got a massive engine, but his chassis may not be quite so robust. Connections have consistently voiced concerns over Grands Crus’ ability to handle faster ground. Physically, there doesn’t appear to be a reason why Grand Crus wouldn’t thrive given quicker conditions. He certainly isn’t a heavy-topped horse and he doesn’t display the pronounced knee action you often associate with soft-ground specialists. Perhaps those closest to the son of Dom Alco are trying to shift some of thee pressure of themselves, or maybe they know something we don’t.
Willie Mullins’ Mourad has come in to his own for the step up in distance. He finished third to wonder mare Quevega in his first attempt at three miles, but is unbeaten in two starts since. His trainer is convinced he will improve massively for a return to spring ground and his breeding backs up the bullish remarks from those quarters.
Verdict
The contrast in styles between reigning champion Big Buck’s and new kid on the block Grands Crus could hardly be starker.
Big Buck’s may not be bombproof, but there aren’t many weaknesses in his armour.
The best way to turn him over is probably to ride a waiting race and endeavour to mug him close home. If Grands Crus consents to settle, if he sees out a strongly run three miles and if he handles the fastest ground he’s ever encountered he could do that. An almost banker/blowout scenario now surrounds the horse - he could run out an outstanding winner or run abjectly.
Willie Mullins’ stables houses perhaps the best each-way alternatives in the somewhat forgotten horse Fiveforthree and Mourad. The former’s career had been blighted by injury but he’s supremely talented on his day.
Ashkazar, Cross Kennon, Powerstation and Rigour Back Bob range in price from 40-1 to 100-1, but if any of the market principles were to underperform one of them could easily plod on for third.
Selection: Big Buck’s
Alternative: Mourad
