2012 Cheltenham Ante Post Previews and Tips

There is no horse in jump racing that towers over its rivals more so than Big Buck’s in the staying hurdlers division. Last weekend he racked up his fourteenth consecutive victory over hurdles, strolling effortlessly away from his field at Ascot under Ruby Walsh.

Big Buck’s is unlikely to race again before he attempts a record fourth consecutive win in Cheltenham’s World Hurdle and, such is his dominance over his rivals, that he is quoted as low as 1-2 favourite to win at the festival in March. His critics point out that it is not a strong division and the truly great horses need something to push them to find out how good they really are. However, he can do no more than keep winning and continues to see off pretenders to his crown with consummate ease.

A long spell over hurdles was definitely not the original plan for the imposing gelding by Cadoudal and a win at Aintree in 2008 appeared to have set him on his way to a successful career over fences. His jumping had been a little erratic but he was still sent off as short as 5-1 for the Hennessy Gold Cup that season before unseating Sam Thomas. Few would have believed that he would not be returning to the bigger obstacles but he has proved such a phenomenon in long distance staying hurdles that he is now very much part of the Cheltenham Festival agenda.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls switched him back over hurdles after the 2008 Hennessy and two impressive wins at Cheltenham against the best that the staying division had to offer meant it was an obvious choice to go for the World Hurdle. He duly saw off the challenge of Punchestowns and went on to confirm his supremacy at Aintree.

In 2009 he reappeared at Newbury and won in his customary easy fashion, repeating the dose in December before being brought back fresh to defend his title. This time he saw off the persistent Time For Rupert to notch his second World Hurdle. Once again, he signed off for the season by following up at Aintree. He followed an identical schedule in 2010, cruising home at Newbury before fending off the attentions of Grands Crus. As usual, he then reappeared to beat off the same rival at Aintree.

Nicholls has mapped out a similar routine this year and he has not been extended to chalk up victories 13 and 14 and now it is all systems go for Cheltenham. Barring accident or injury, it is difficult to see what can stop him making Cheltenham history next March.