World Hurdle market rocked by Solwhit blow

Big Buck’s is as short as 6-4 favourite to regain his Ladbrokes World Hurdle crown after the current champion Solwhit was ruled out of the race with injury.

Trainer Charles Byrnes was forced to draw stumps with the luckless 10-year-old after a fetlock problem which prevented him from making his reappearance at Leopardstown over Christmas failed to show the required improvement.

Big Buck’s, who has not raced since December 2012, is now an even shorter-priced favourite to rack up his fifth win in the race.