I've had a few quid each way on SO YOUNG 9/1 in the without Big Bucks market. The way he hammered Trifolium when the stamina kicked in LTO was impressive and remember, this was very nearly last years Neptune winner. He stays and he has a turn of foot- very interesting price in the without Big Bucks market.
Ron - Very true... I think had any other jockey been on Riverside Theatre than you may have seen a different winner... Best ride and winner of all of his winners this week...
Very different to last year's festival - there it was Ruby who could do no wrong. Very nervous now about Big Bucks ................ Nicholls and Walsh nowhere near top form. Re the Ryanair - surely this is one of the best races of the festival, it is producing the goods year after year despite the detractors saying it takes horse out of the Champion CHase and Gold Cup. How soon might we see a "Ryanair Hurdle" over 2m4f or 2m5f?
If I'd lumped on Big Bucks I'd personally be looking for the valium now...If Nicky can teach that rascal Bobs Worth to jump like he did yesterday surely he can teach Oscar Whisky to stay! Done the forecast though champ to beat Oscars but also backed Oscars each way. It'll be a sad day should the Champion not equal this 16 wins in a row record.
Christ, they really are taking on Big Bucks this time around. Strong 1/2 shot in the last few weeks, 4/5 really is dangling a carrat, they are looking to get him beat, especially with the Nicholls stable question marks. He hasn't looked happy all week.
I cannot believe 5/6 about Big Bucks. It's too late for me to go and get any but that is a CRACKING price. Yes Nicholls is out of form but I cannot see anything in this field that can trouble him and I don't buy into the whole this is the biggest test he's had either. I'm nailing my colours to the mast here. Oscar Whisky won't stay at the death and the rest aren't good enough. Big Bucks wins.
I know Rock On Ruby won the Champion Hurdle, but the overall form of Paul Nicholls horses this week is a concern (for backers of Big Bucks and Kauto Star) - wouldn't be surprised if Oscar Whisky beat Big Bucks but I don't think he will. A few punters are bound to have Sprinter Sacre, Quevega and Big Bucks in trebles - it goes without saying both on and off course bookmakers really don't want Big Bucks to win.
If Big bucks wins today then it will go down as the greatest staying hurdle performance in my opinion when you factor in the woefully under performing Nichols stable and the quality of the opposition. You know how strong this race is? Mikael D'Haguenet is 50/1.
