 Big Buck's was the strongest up the testing Cheltenham hill |
Big Buck's got the better of odds-on favourite Punchestowns to win the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham - a trial for the World Hurdle at the Festival. Trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh, the 7-2 shot edged past Punchestowns and Fair Along and put in a strong jump at the last to go clear. Punchestowns (10-11) could not respond as Walsh's mount won by four lengths. Big Buck's is now in from 12-1 to around 4-1 to repeat his victory at the Cheltenham Festival in March. He had gone off as joint favourite for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November before unseating jockey Sam Thomas at the third-last. But his switch back from fences to hurdles has paid dividends. "We just decided after the Hennessy that with Kauto Star and Denman and the like, it wouldn't do him any harm to go back over hurdles," said Nicholls. "He's only six and he can run in other Gold Cups. "It's the best thing we've ever done really. He was getting 8lb from his rivals but better ground will help us too and I think he's got a great chance in the World Hurdle." Punchestowns is still favourite for the World Hurdle ahead of French hope Kasbah Bliss but Big Buck's is now third in the betting for the race on 12 March.  | 606: DEBATE |
Meanwhile, Joe Lively overcame a mistake at the second last fence to win the Letheby & Christopher Chase - the trial for the Gold Cup. Joe Tizzard almost parted company with his mount, trained by his father Colin, but the pair recovered superbly to challenge Halcon Genelardais up the Cheltenham hill. Although Halcon Genelardais seemed the stronger, he struggled badly and Joe Lively showed his strength to win by two-and-three-quarter lengths. The winner, who has now triumphed four times around Prestbury Park, is now around a 33-1 chance to win the Gold Cup. The winning jockey was full of praise for his charge who relished the heavy ground. "He had his own way in front and he loved it," he said. "He is so, so tough. We'd run out of options to be honest but he is in the Gold Cup so we wanted to see what we've got. "He's a different horse around here and he absolutely loves it."
Cleeve Hurdle 1. Big Buck's (R Walsh) 7-2
2. Punchestowns (B J Geraghty) 10-11 Fav
3. Fair Along (R Johnson) 8-1
8 ran Letheby & Christopher Chase
1. Joe Lively (J Tizzard) 11-1
2. Halcon Genelardais (R Thornton) 5-2 Fav
3. Tidal Bay (Denis O'Regan) 9-2
8 ran
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