Record-breaking Big Bucks wins fourth World Hurdle
RECORDS tumbled on day three of the Cheltenham Festival as Big Bucks claimed his fourth World Hurdle crown and equalled the mark for consecutive victories over jumps.
The 8-11 favourite stayed on bravely to hold off mare Voler La Vedette and put Paul Nicholls back in the Trainers’ Championship lead. The horse’s triumph brought him level with Sir Ken’s run of 16 successive hurdle wins set in the early 1950s.
“He’s an awesome horse, the tactics were executed to perfection and it was a great ride from Ruby [Walsh]. He’s just a fantastic horse, it’s brilliant. Ruby needed that, I needed that and so did the team,” said Nicholls.
Earlier, Riverside Theatre’s victory in the Ryanair Chase gave trainer Nicky Henderson a record 45th Festival win, while Sir Des Champs won the Jewson Novices’ Chase.