Big Buck’s shortens as Solwhit out of World

Big Buck’s is as short as 6/4 favourite to regain his Ladbrokes World Hurdle crown after the current champion Solwhit was ruled out of the race with injury.

Trainer Charles Byrnes was forced to draw stumps with the luckless 10-year-old after a problem which prevented him from making his reappearance at Leopardstown over Christmas failed to show the required improvement.

Big Buck’s, who has not raced since December 2012, is now an even shorter-priced favourite to rack up his fifth win in the race. The sponsors now make Big Buck’s a 7/4 chance, with Annie Power next best at 3/1.

Ladbrokes’ Hayley O’Connor said: “Although the current champion won’t be defending his title, the return of Big Buck’s and a possible clash with Annie Power still whets the appetite.”

Betfred left Big Buck’s unchanged at 5/2, but trimmed Annie Power into 7/2 from 4/1 and More Of That into 5/1 from 7s.

William Hill are, however, ducking Paul Nicholls' legendary Big Buck's at 6/4. Hills spokesman Jon Ivan-Duke said: "Despite Big Buck's being off the track for more than a year, his chances of regaining the World Hurdle crown look even stronger with the current champion ruled out."

Sprinter Sacre
Sprinter Sacre features among 26 entries for the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on March 12th.

Nicky Henderson’s superstar has questions to answer after being diagnosed with a fibrillating heart on his first start of the season when pulled up at Kempton. While his participation is still in the balance, last year’s winner remains the standout contender.

Paul Nicholls has given King George third Al Ferof the option and has also entered his top-class novices Dodging Bullets and Hinterland.

Sire De Grugy took advantage of Sprinter Sacre’s ailments at Christmas and is a possible for Gary Moore, while former winner Sizing Europe could have another crack for Henry De Bromhead, who has also entered Special Tiara.

Last year’s Arkle runner-up Baily Green, Tony Martin’s Benefficient, Willie Mullins’ pair of Arvika Ligeonniere and Twinlight and John Hanlon’s Hidden Cyclone are all also engaged.

One notable omission is Colin Tizzard's Betfair Chase winner Cue Card, but he has been entered in the Ryanair Chase.

Straight to festival
De Bromhead has also entered the veteran Sizing Europe in the Ryanair and he will now head straight to the festival after disappointing at Leopardstown over Christmas.

“Hopefully, Sizing Europe will run in either the Queen Mother Champion Chase or the Ryanair Chase. They are provisional entries and we are not leaning either way at this stage,” said De Bromhead.

“He has been fine since his run at Leopardstown. He was a little disappointing and didn’t really attack his fences as he normally does, but there were various reasons, with the ground being the main one. He will go straight to Cheltenham now and hopefully he can bounce back.”

Meanwhile, leading jumps owner JP McManus has purchased the Tim Vaughan-trained Fayette County. Second to the McManus-owned Milan Bound on his hurdling debut at Carlisle, Vaughan hopes the seven-year-old will make a nice chaser in time.

“I am delighted to confirm that JP McManus has just purchased the promising novice hurdler Fayette County, who will remain in training with us at Pant Wilkin Stables.”