Big Bucks wins again but Diamond Harry still a threat
Big Bucks winning run was stretched to five on Saturday, as the Paul Nicholls star barely broke sweat, during an easy victory in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.
The six year old didn’t come off the bridle all race and the gap in quality over second placed Lough Derg was plain for all to see. The latter, ridden by Tom Scudamore, was pushed all the way by his jockey, only to see Big Bucks saunter past with two to jump before cruising to a seven length victory.
The fine performance meant a further cut in his price for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham and his ante-post odds are now just 2.18. Should he maintain his form, even that price may prove to be good value and jockey Ruby Walsh further extolled his values after the race.
“He felt as he did last year. He’s just a very, very good horse. He’s got loads of pace and he jumps exceptionally well” said Walsh.
The only horse to come close in the World Hurdle betting is Diamond Harry at 6.4, with third favourite Karabak already out to 16.5. Paul Nicholls is remaining wary however, and agrees with Big Bucks owner Andy Stewart, that Diamond Harry should not be written off.
The classy six year old has a superb record of seven wins in eight races and impressed with another victory on his seasonal reappearance at Haydock.
Nicholls said on Sunday: “I did say to Andy after Diamond Harry won at Haydock that he might be the one to beat in the World Hurdle. He’s a talented horse and he has a great trainer in Nick Williams, but he won last week off 149, whereas Big Buck’s is rated 174, so he still has a long way to go.”
It will take an almighty effort for any horse to beat Big Bucks this season and as such he is sure to attract plenty of betting interest. In an otherwise weak division, Diamond Harry will undoubtedly provide more of a challenge than Newbury witnessed at the weekend but as ever, the smart money is on yet another Nicholls superstar.
In other racing news, Grand National betting odds are heating up, so it could be worth your while to keep your eye on these for future betting opportunities.
