Big Buck's (FR)
8-y-o (16Apr03 b/br g)
Cadoudal (FR) (18.0f) — Buck´s (FR) (Le Glorieux (10.1f))
Trainer Paul Nicholls
Owner The Stewart Family
Breeder Henri Poulat

Big Buck's bosses Grands Crus in Liverpool Hurdle

BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m½f, 4yo+

BIG BUCK'S easily dismissed the challenge of Grands Crus to win his third Liverpool Hurdle and his 12th successive race with an authoritative victory.

In what was arguably his most impressive performance, Big Buck's told Grands Crus in no uncertain terms that his future lies over fences because he will not be relinquishing his stranglehold on the staying hurdle division anytime soon.

A jubilant Paul Nicholls said: "I think that's probably his best performance and it's probably right that he's the best horse I've ever trained at Ditcheat.

"He'll have a nice summer holiday now and go for the same four races next season. He won't be going chasing.

"On that form today, it's going to be a long while before he gets beat."

Winning jockey Ruby Walsh was even more ebullient, adding: "He was very good today and was not extended. He beat Grands Crus easier than he did at Cheltenham but whether it was a better performance overall I don't know.

"He travelled super, jumped super and was always going to win. I didn't need the stick. He's a pleasure to ride, a wonderful, incredible horse."

David Pipe, trainer of the runner-up, tweeted his reaction immediately after the race. He said: "What a race. Awesome performances by Big Buck's and Grands Crus. So pleased, Tom [Scudamore] rode a blinder just one better once again."

Pipe later added: "It's unlikely he'll go to Punchestown and he'll be going novice chasing next year when Big Buck's won't be around."

The style of Big Buck's's victory drew gasps of awe from the crowd as Walsh remained motionless as the first two pulled clear of 66-1 third Won In The Dark in the home straight.

Walsh sat in midfield throughout the majority of the race, easing him closer as they took the back straight for the final time, while Grands Crus tracked his every move and was never far away.

Turning for home the pair eased clear and jumping two out a hard-at-work Tom Scudamore on Grands Crus was cutting a figure in stark contrast to that of Walsh, as Big Buck's's jockey sat frozen aboard the eight-year-old superstar.

After the last Walsh let out an inch of rein and gave his mount a cursory slap down the neck and they eased five lengths clear. Won In The Dark was a further seven lengths back in third.

Scudamore declared Grands Crus "the best horse I've ever ridden" after the race, adding further gravity to the seismic performance by Big Buck's.

Victor Chandler cut Big Buck's to 11-10 for next year's World Hurdle, while William Hill went just 5-1 that he reaches retirement without losing another race.