RACING: AINTREE REPORT:BIG BUCK'S wrapped up this season just as he had the previous two with what jockey Ruby Walsh and trainer Paul Nicholls considered to be the finest performance of his career in the BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree yesterday.
Already the only horse to have won the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham three times in a row, Big Buck’s can now boast the same record in this Grade One heat – and few would bet against him becoming the most decorated stayer of all time.
He had taken his unbeaten streak over timber to 11 three weeks earlier at the Festival when fighting off the latest pretender to his crown, Grands Crus, and any lingering hopes for David Pipe’s grey were crushed in unequivocal fashion as the champion coasted an effortless five lengths clear.
With a decent pace guaranteed by Knockara Beau, Tom Scudamore decided to stalk Walsh and the 4 to 6 favourite for as long as he could, asking Grands Crus for an effort when Big Buck’s was left in front turning for home. But it proved a hopeless task as Walsh sat motionless alongside him, never having to get remotely serious. In third was Sabrina Harty’s Won In The Dark.
Nicholls, who had revealed a worry about Big Buck’s the evening before the race, said: “There was a minor issue earlier in the week when he didn’t eat up, but the blood test was spot on and he didn’t miss any work. It was the sort of thing we deal with training horses and the girl who rides him was happy with him.
“He was awesome today, probably as good as ever. Ruby said to me he felt the best he had ever been and I think that was probably his best performance. Dan (Skelton, assistant) just said to me that he’s the best horse we’ve ever had at Ditcheat and I’d have to agree. In terms of ability, I don’t think you can argue with it.
“On that form today it’s going to be a long while before he gets beat.” Looking ahead, Nicholls went on: “He’ll have a nice summer holiday now and then he’ll go for the same four races next year (Long Distance and Long Walk Hurdles, Cheltenham and Aintree).
Big Buck’s is 4 to 5 with the sponsors to collect a fourth World Hurdle next March while William Hill now offer just 5 to 1 he is never beaten again in his career.
A new chapter in Paddy Brennan’s life could barely have opened in a better way as the front-running Nacarat gave the rider a Grade One victory in the totesport Bowl. Just a week ago, the Irishman announced he was leaving his position as stable jockey to Nigel Twiston-Davies to ride freelance, insisting there was no acrimony as he made way for the trainer’s two flourishing sons, Sam and Willie.
Success in Liverpool has been overdue for Nacarat, who thrives on a quick, flat track, and it came at the expense of this year’s Gold Cup runner-up Denman (5 to 4 favourite), a pale imitation of his usual self as he laboured home fifth of the six starters.
Third to What A Friend 12 months ago, Nicarat (7 to 2) rarely looked troubled as he kept Carole’s Legacy at bay by six lengths.
Walsh, who completed a double on Zarkandar in the 4-y-o hurdle,never appeared happy on the public’s favourite Denman, needing to urge him along sporadically, and Nicholls confirmed as much later. “He didn’t act on the track, which we half suspected, so Ruby looked after him,” Nicholls said.
Oliver McKiernan’s 40 to 1 shot Follow The Plan came from a long way back to be third.
Tears of despair turned to tears of joy for Willie Twiston-Davies as he and Baby Run put their unfortunate Cheltenham Festival fall behind them by claiming the John Smith’s Fox Hunters’.
Sent off the 3 to 1 favourite to gain compensation on Merseyside, Baby Run adopted his customary front-running tactics and came home three-quarters of a length ahead of Irish raider Boxer Georg, representing Willie and Patrick Mullins.
The Howard Johnson-trained Silk Drum (9 to 1) was given a fine front-running ride by Paul Gallagher to claim the Red Rum Handicap Chase, while the closing Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle went to Gordon Elliott’s 16 to 1 shot Russian War (Paul Carberry).
