Big Bucks too short to land Ladbrokes World Hurdle says owner

Big Buck’s is too short a price to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for the second successive year, according to his owner Andy Stewart.

The seven-year-old is odds-on at (4/7) to defend his crown at Cheltenham next month after winning all his six races since reverting to hurdling last January, but Stewart believes victory is not a foregone conclusion.

“I was very impressed with Tidal Bay’s (8/1) run (in the Cleeve Hurdle) and Karabak (6/1) as well as former Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition (40/1),” he told At The Races. On paper Big Buck’s looks the one to be on, but the prices are ridiculous – he’s 4-7. But it would be disappointing if he didn’t continue to be top of the tree in the staying hurdle division.”

Stewart is also expecting a big run at the Festival from Poquelin in the Ryanair Chase.

“He has an entry, as has Gwanako, and he’ll go straight for the Ryanair,” Stewart went on.

He has taken to jumping this season whereas last year he fluffed his lines when favourite for the Grand Annual.

So far this season he has only been beaten once and that was on very soft ground in the Paddy Power. If it’s fast ground and if he jumps well, it will be a good horse that beats him.”