Big Buck’s became an unlikely contender for the World Hurdle at the Festival when scoring on his debut over timber for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh at Cheltenham.

DAVY Russell’s cunning ground-saving manoeuvre aboard Dix Villez denied Enda Bolger a fifth consecutive success in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on a theatrical first afternoon of Cheltenham’s Open meeting yesterday.

Jonjo O'Neill repeated last year's Pertemps Final success as Creon (50-1) swooped late to snatch the spoils in the closing race.