Nicholls expecting big improvement from Buck’s

Paul Nicholls is confident Big Buck’s will “improve enormously” for the run after finishing a close third on his return to action in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The four-times World Hurdle hero was aiming for a 19th consecutive victory in the Grade Two contest and travelled powerfully in the hands of first-time rider Sam Twiston-Davies on his first start in well over a year.

The 11-year-old led his rivals over the final flight, but was caught on the run-in by shock winner Knockara Beau and At Fishers Cross, beaten three-quarters of a length.