Stewart: Quevega clash ‘unlikely’

Owner Andy Stewart believes it is “highly unlikely” a dream clash between Big Buck’s and star mare Quevega will happen.

The incredible Big Buck’s barely came off the bridle when securing his 18th consecutive victory in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday and he is already odds-on to win the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival for a remarkable fifth year on the bounce.

With challengers to his crown few and far between, some have suggested the Willie Mullins-trained Quevega should tackle the mighty stayer, but the champion trainer insisted on Sunday she would be bidding for a fifth successive Cheltenham win of her own in March in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle. The only conceivable place the pair could meet is at the Punchestown Festival, but Stewart does not expect his pride and joy to making the end-of-season trip to Ireland.