Big Buck's sweeps to victory at Aintree

Big Buck’s proved a different league to his rivals once again when completing a hat-trick of victories in the BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree.

The Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old made history at Cheltenham last month when becoming the first horse to win three successive World Hurdle titles, and he was sent off the 4-6 favourite to repeat the feat on Merseyside.

Always travelling strongly in the hands of Ruby Walsh, Big Buck’s was left in front before the turn for home as Knockara Beau weakened.

World Hurdle runner-up Grands Crus proved the biggest danger, but while Tom Scudamore was hard at work on David Pipe’s grey, Walsh sat motionless on the favourite all the way up the home straight.

There was little to choose between the pair jumping the final flight, but Big Buck’s soon asserted under minimum driving to secure his 12th successive victory by five lengths.

Nicholls, who revealed before the race that Big Buck's had been off his food earlier in the week, said: “It just shows you that these things happen but we've always been positive. The girl who rides him was happy with him.

“He was awesome today, probably as good as ever.

“I think that was probably his best performance. Dan (Skelton, assistant) just said to me that he’s the best horse we’ve ever had at Ditcheat and I’d have to agree.

“On that form today it’s going to be a long while before he gets beat.

“He’ll have a nice summer holiday now and then he’ll go for the same four races next year. He won’t go chasing.”