Big Buck’s adds fizz to Hurdle
The undisputed staying champion, with three World Hurdle crowns under his belt at the Cheltenham Festival, is opposed by 10 rivals in the Grade One contest over an extended three miles on Merseyside.
The eight-year-old’s trainer Paul Nicholls and owner Andy Stewart are also represented by Gwanako, who won the Topham Chase over the National fences in 2008.
Grands Crus, who ran Big Buck’s to a length and three-quarters at Cheltenham last month, has been given the opportunity by trainer David Pipe to gain his revenge.
In what is an extremely strong renewal of this race, Nigel Twiston-Davies steps Khyber Kim up in trip after he was well beaten in the Champion Hurdle.
The nine-year-old won the Aintree Hurdle over two and a half miles last April and again holds an entry in that contest on Saturday.
Also tackling a longer distance is the Gordon Elliott-trained Carlito Brigante, winner of the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
George Charlton saddles his stable star Knockara Beau, who was fourth under top weight in the Pertemps at the Festival, while Alan King’s Karabak and Sentry Duty from Nicky Henderson’s yard are other talented animals.
Completing the line-up are Markington, Possol and Won In The Dark.
Charlton reports Knockara Beau ready for this red-hot contest following his fine effort in the Pertemps.
“He’s doing very well and we’re looking forward to it,” said the Northumberland trainer.
“It’s a very strong race but that’s what you expect in those 100 grand races.
“The Big Buck’s race (at Cheltenham) was about 10 seconds slower than ours, he had 2lb less weight and we were beaten 14 lengths so that might get us a bit nearer to him.
“He won his bumper round the course and he’s not going through his flat spots which will be an advantage as he had a wind operation last year.
“We’ll see what happens, but we’ll be trying our best.”
