Nicholls delighted with Buck’s
The champion staying hurdler, trained by Paul Nicholls, was partnered by Daryl Jacob in the two-mile workout over a circuit of the track.
Looking very fit, with his skin in good condition, he travelled alongside Finale Hurdle-bound stablemate Solar Impulse, ridden by Nick Scholfield, before going ahead near the winning line.
The 10-year-old, who is unbeaten in his last 18 races, has not been seen since making a winning reappearance at Newbury in the Long Distance Hurdle in December last year. Owner Andy Stewart’s star was found to be suffering from a leg injury later that month.
He has been back cantering since October and is being aimed at the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January before bidding for a fifth Ladbrokes World Hurdle triumph at the Cheltenham Festival.
Nicholls said: “I’ve had him pretty fit as he has done lots of preparatory work, it was just a matter of getting him back on to a racecourse and that was his first bit on grass. With all of ours we tend to get them ready on the all-weather and it was pleasing that he didn’t blow too much.
“It’s been a long road back, but there was no way I was going to rush it.
“Our plan was to go for the Cleeve Hurdle ahead of the World Hurdle and then possibly take in Aintree in the spring. To be quite honest he looks as good as new, and when you consider the likes of Tidal Bay and Kauto Star he is still a young horse and there is no reason he won’t be as good as he’s ever been.
“With any horse who has had the problems he’s had, you take it day by day. It was the same injury that Al Ferof sustained and he has come back at the top level.
“He’s done loads of steady work on the walker and is a horse that wants to be ready to run. It’s amazing, but he hardly ever blows afterwards. He was going to come back at the top level or not at all, and I am really delighted with him. That will have done him the world of good. I’m really thrilled, it looks like he’s still got it.”
Meanwhile Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth heads a field of 14 remaining in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Saturday week at the latest acceptance stage.
Nicky Henderson named the Dublin track’s three-mile showpiece as a likely target after the eight-year-old disappointed when only sixth to Cue Card in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on his seasonal debut.
Paul Nicholls, who sent out Tidal Bay to take a thrilling renewal in 2012, is set to rely on Unioniste, who was a good winner at Aintree earlier this month. Mouse Morris’ First Lieutenant was beaten just a head by Tidal Bay last year and could try to go one better. Sir Des Champs, fourth 12 months ago and second to Bobs Worth in the Gold Cup, is one of three possible from Willie Mullins’ stable.
