Big Buck’s and Al Ferof ruled out for the rest of the season

Trainer Paul Nicholls was last evening dealt a huge double injury blow by the news Big Buck’s and Al Ferof are set to miss the rest of the season.

The former was due to run in Saturday’s Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, while Al Ferof was being prepared for an assault at the King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.

Nicholls told Betfair: “At evening stables tonight, we discovered a problem with both Big Buck’s and Al Ferof.