Big Buck’s walks it

Victory in the event was the 14th Grade One win on the bounce for the Paul Nicholls-trained superstar, moving him one ahead of Bula as he closes in on Sir Ken’s record of 16 set in the 1950s.

Young pretender Dynaste set out to test the 3-10 favourite from the front and, for a brief moment going to three out, Ruby Walsh had to niggle Big Buck’s along. But normal service was soon resumed rounding the home turn, and Big Buck’s, racing right-handed for the first time, jumped two out in front and sauntered clear from there.

The exertions in taking on Big Buck’s took an inevitable toll on Dynaste, who weakened as Five Dream and Restless Harry took the minor honours.

Afterwards Nicholls said: “He’s all class. He looked fat at Newbury and I thought he was a lot fitter today.

“He’s such a character and you’ve really got to manage him. But he was really good today and I hope he will continue to be hard to beat.

“We’ll have to see, but I wouldn’t have thought he would run again until Cheltenham.

“He won’t ever go over fences now, he doesn’t like them and he is too good at that job [hurdling].”

Walsh said: “He’s an incredible stayer with loads of pace. He’s just a very good horse. He’s maturing and growing up.

“Going right-handed wasn’t an issue, it might have been a few years ago but not now. He’s incredible.”

Nicholls was also responsible for Five Dream, and said: “I thought he was going to run a good race on his last run and he will go for the Cleeve Hurdle now.”

David Pipe said of Dynaste, who was stepping up markedly in class after a facile Haydock win and eventually came home in fourth: “It was a good run but that was graded company.

“We will have to sit down and have a think about where he goes next.”