Big Buck's Now 4-7 For World Domination

Big Buck’s affirmed his position as a ‘punting banker’ for next March’s Cheltenham festival when taking the rescheduled Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury this afternoon.

Despite tough conditions, the Andy Stewart-owned hurdler destroyed the opposition in the three-mile contest, causing bookmakers William Hill to slash his odds for the World Hurdle to 4-7 from even money. Pretender to the crown Diamond Harry could only finish third in the race and was eased to 7-1 from 6-1, whilst Karabak’s solid second-place saw Hills trim his odds to 7-1 from 12-1. Nick Williams – trainer of Diamond Harry- has now highlighted a possible tilt at the RSA Chase for his charge – for which Hills have re-quoted the gelding at odds of 12-1.

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: ‘’Big Buck’s now appears absolutely bombproof for the Festival after today’s performance, and is a certainty to appear on every punters ‘banker’ list for March.’’

In other ante-post news Solwhit now matches Zaynar as joint 9-2 favourite for the Champion Hurdle after taking the Leopardstown December Hurdle today, whilst What A Friend’s victory in the Lexus Chase saw his odds for the Gold Cup tumble to 20-1 from 33-1, with his Hennessy victor Denman also trimmed to 2-1 from 9-4. Champion trainer Paul Nicholls now rates as a 1/3 chance to saddle the winner of next March’s Gold Cup for a fourth successive year.

World Hurdle (William Hill Bet) 4-7 Big Bucks, 7-1 Diamond Harry, Karabak, 16-1 Mr Thriller, 20-1 Whiteoak, 25-1 Fair Along, 33-1 Cousin Vinny (Others On Request) (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Cheltenham Gold Cup: 6-4 Kauto Star, 2-1 Denman, 14-1 Imperial Commander, 16-1 Cooldine, 20-1 What A Friend, 25-1 Joncol, 33-1 Money Trix, Notre Pere, 40-1 Barbers Shop, Madison du Berlais, 50-1 Albertas Run, In Compliance, Killyglen, Rare Bob, 66-1 Cappa Bleu, Schindlers Hunt , 100-1 Niche Market (Others On Request) (EW 1/4 1,2,3)