Big Buck’s has won his last 10 starts since unseating Sam Thomas in the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup and has been odds on for the last 7 but the 3m hurdle division looks much stronger this year and the Paul Nicholls-trained star will have to be at his best if he is to maintain his unbeaten run in the World Hurdle, Thursday’s feature race at the Festival.

 

Time	Race	Distance	Link
1:30	Jewson Novices Chase	2m 5f
2:05	Pertemps Final	3m
2:40	Ryanair Chase	2m 5f
3:20	World Hurdle	3m
4:00	Festival Plate	2m 5f
4:40	Kim Muir Challenge Cup	3m 1 ½f

The progressive grey Grand Crus has won his 3 starts this term by an aggregate of 26L and is a real threat to Big Buck’s’ crown with the Mullins pair Mourad and Fiveforthree also holding realistic claims. The latter won the Novice Hurdle at the Festival over 2m 5f back in 2008, already has a Grade 1 victory over 3m and made a winning reappearance over an inadequate trip at Fairyhouse.

 Mourad has been plying his trade on soft or heavy ground this winter but is a much better horse on decent ground and connections of Solwhit are fed up seeing the backside of Hurricane Fly and have decided to try 3m for the first time. A winner of the Aintree Hurdle over 2m 4f he is a fascinating contender.     

 Noble Prince looks to have been crying out for a step up in trip and must go close in the opening Jewson Novices’ Chase over 2m 4f especially with better ground considered a positive by trainer  Paul Nolan. Thursday is St Patrick’s Day and Irish eyes may well be smiling after the opener although connections of Captain Chris have finally woken up to the fact that their horse needs at least this trip and they have aborted plans for the Arkle.

The Ryanair looks a poor renewal although if Golden Silver were re-routed from the Champion Chase he would be a confident selection. Poquelin needs fast ground to be seen at his best and ante post favourite Riverside Theatre is a better horse on a flat track going right-handed.

Tranquil Sea could be another Irish winner; a horse who goes well fresh, trainer Edward O’Grady blamed himself for last year’s defeat suggesting he ran the horse too near to the Festival and it will be three months since he last set foot on a track when he reappears. Both wins this term have been going right-handed but he is at least as effective going left-handed and there is no way he should be almost twice the price as Poquelin.  

Donald McCain has won the Kim Muir Chase twice in recent years courtesy of Cloudy Lane and Ballabriggs and his Alderley Rover possesses an engine but is not quite the finished article. If and when his jumping improves he will win a big handicap but Mostly Bob remains a horse to keep on the right side of between now and the end of the season on a decent surface. 

He didn’t get too far in the Racing Post Chase last time (ground had turned too soft) and if his confidence hasn’t been dented he could still make his mark although it should be noted that he also holds an engagement in the Stewart Family Chase on the Tuesday of the Festival.

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