In other news the firm have slashed both Don’t Push It (5 from 12) and Oscar Time (6 from 12) in their market who will go off favourite for the John Smith’s Grand National.

VC spokesperson Charlie McCann: “ Big Buck’s has been odds on for his last seven wins but we couldn’t lay him at Evens and have decided to try and get him in the book by offering 11/10. Fiveforthree has a Festival win to his name, has won a Grade 1 over 3m and in our opinion can now be added to Grand Crus, Mourad and Karabak as realistic contenders for Big Buck’s World Hurdle crown.

Best odds……..

Ladbroke World Hurdle: prices from Victor Chandler: ew ¼ odds 1,2,3:
Big Bucks 11/10 (from Evens)
Grand Crus 9/4
Mourad 10/1
Quevega 10/1
Karabak 16/1
Oscar Whisky 16/1
Punchestowns 16/1
Fiveforthree 20/1 (from 33s)
Zaynar 20/1
25s Bar

Cheltenham Festival News from Racing Diary

Big Bucks'

This offer is part of our series of Cheltenham Festival offers in February. The offers we’ve had so far, including our going top price on every runner in the Stan James Supreme Novices’ Hurdle today, have met with a great response so we see no reason to stop now!”

Current World Hurdle prices from StanJames.com (3 pm Feb 4th 2011):

5/6 Big Bucks; 5/2 Gand Crus; 9/1 Mourad; 16/1 Karabak, Zaynar, Queveda, Oscar Whisky; 20/1 bar

Cheltenham Festival News from Racing Diary

Big Bucks off to Cheltenham

If successful in a third Championship staying event, Andy Stewart’s long-distance dominator could equal the record of the fantastic Inglis Drever, and record a monumental eleventh victory on the spin.

In a bid to upset the division, Nicky Henderson relies on the progressive Oscar Whisky, 2009 runner-up Punchestowns and 2009’s Triumph Hurdle-winning Zaynar, whereas Alan King fields exciting pair Karabak and Bensalem.

The David Pipe-trained Grand Crus has been the subject of significant support since his Cheltenham and Haydock routs, with Irish hope Mikael D’Haguenet returning to the smaller obstacles after two winless starts over fences.

Lucy Rhodes, spokeswoman for William Hill, said, ‘Big Buck’s was the only one of four to have returned from Prestbury last season with his Championship banker status intact. He’s since been hot fav for the hat-trick – can anyone crack the Stewarts’ staying stranglehold this time?’

World Hurdle: 4-7 Big Buck’s, 8-1 Quevega, 10-1 Karabak, 12-1 Grand Crus, Oscar Whisky, Punchestowns, 14-1 Mourad, Solwhit, Zaynar, 16-1 Any Given Day, Mikael D’Haguenet, 20-1 Bensalem, Celestial Halo, Fiveforthree, Khyber Kim, 25-1 Ashkazar, Luska Lad, Organisateur, Shinrock Paddy, Thousand Stars, 33-1 Fair Along, Powerstation, Restless Harry, Souffleur, Spirit River, Walkon, 40-1 Cristal Bonus, 50-1 Berties Dream, Beshabar, Blackstairmountain, Catch Me, James De Vassy, Shalone 66-1 BAR (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Surely Big Bucks is a “Good Thing” So what about without him?

World Hurdle w/o Big Buck’s: 4-1 Quevega, 9-2 Karabak, 11-2 Any Given Day, Grand Crus, 6-1 Mourad, Oscar Whisky, Punchestowns, 8-1 Solwhit, 9-1 Zaynar, 10-1 Bensalem, Khyber Kim, Mikael D’Haguenet, 11-1 Celestial Halo, 12-1 Fiveforthree, 14-1 Ashkazar, Luska Lad, Organisateur, Shinrock Paddy, Thousand Stars, 16-1 Fair Along, Souffleur, Spirit River, Walkon, 20-1 Cristal Bonus, Powerstation, Restless Harry, 25-1 Berties Dream, Beshabar, Blackstairmountain, Catch Me, James De Vassy, Shalone (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Cheltenham Festival News from Racing Diary

Quevega wins at Punchestown

Sent off the 5-2 favourite, you could have got 4/1 this morning, on the back of her second triumph in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, Willie Mullins’ six-year-old travelled ominously well throughout in the hands of Paul Townend. Stablemate Mourad also moved up menacingly on the turn for home, but Townend remained motionless until the final flight, after which his mount quickened clear to score by three lengths.

Alan King’s Bensalem finished strongly to fill the runner-up spot, with Mourad third.

Quevega has been given a quote of 8s for the 2011 World Hurdle with Stan James following her impressive success in the Ladbroke.com World Hurdle at Punchestown

World Hurdle 2011:
Big Bucks 10/11
Zaynar 7/1
Quevega 8/1
Peddlers Cross 8/1
Time For Rupert 10

Cheltenham Festival News from Racing Diary

Can you really look past Big Bucks ? trained by you guessed it, Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh! In short NO.

Big Bucks lands World Hurdle in 2009

I have to be honest and say that long analysis for this race are not required. Everything points to him winning. His official mark of 174 is a mile ahead of his nearest rival and I think he can only beat himself by falling. Big Bucks is short but will win easily, maybe hard on the steel.

I will call it a day there and get ready for the Gold Cup on Friday!

The At The Races team preview the World Hurdle…

Cheltenham Festival News from Racing Diary

Big Bucks Won The World Hurdle in 2009

Paul Nicholls’ seven-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Grade One contest 12 months ago and has continued in a similar vein this season with two bloodless successes at Newbury. Karabak was second in the latter of those races, the Long Walk Hurdle, and looks set to reoppose at the Festival for Alan King, who also has former champion hurdler Katchit to call upon.

Last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Cousin Vinny looks set to return to the smaller obstacles after a brief stint over fences, while his trainer Willie Mullins has also left in Mourad. Mouse Morris’ 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition has been enjoying a fantastic season in Ireland and looks set to return to the scene of his finest hour. Other entries from the Emerald Isle are Ebadiyan, Oscar Dan Dan, Powerstation and Royal And Regal.

Howard Johnson’s recent Cleeve Hurdle winner Tidal Bay is one of the more viable contenders, while Cape Tribulation, Fair Along, Lie Forrit, Sentry Duty and Time For Rupert complete the entries.

World Hurdle Best Prices:

Cheltenham Festival News from Racing Diary

Tuesday- Champion Hurdle

Best Prices:

Wednesday- Champion Chase

Best prices:

Thursday- World Hurdle

Best Prices:

Friday- Gold Cup

Best prices

Get your £25 Free Bet

Cheltenham Festival News from Racing Diary

Big Bucks'

Big 4 Special – Which Horse Will Start At Shortest Price? ~ Special
8 Dunguib
4 Master Minded
4-5 Big Buck’s
9-4 Kauto Star


Big 4 Special – Which Horse Will Win By Furthest? ~ Special

11-8 Kauto Star
9-4 Master Minded
7-2 Big Buck’s
5 Dunguib
14 No Winners

Big 4 Special – What Will Happen First? ~ Special

4-6 Dunguib Wins Supreme Novices
11-4 Master Minded Wins Queen Mother
6 Big Bucks Wins World Hurdle
14 No Winners
20 Kauto Star Wins Gold Cup


Big 4 Special – How Many Of Big 4 Will Win? ~ Special

6-4 2 Winners
5-2 3 Winners
11-4 1 Winner
13-2 4 Winners
14 No Winners

Dunguib Winning Distance Special ~ Special
5-2 Under 4 Lengths
10 Exactly 4 Lengths
5-2 Over 4 Lengths

Master Minded Winning Distance Special ~ Special
5-2 Under 5 Lengths
5-2 Over 5 Lengths
10 Exactly 5 Lengths


Big Bucks Winning Distance Special ~ Special
5-2 Under 4 Lengths
5-2 Over 4 Lengths
10 Exactly 4 Lengths

Kauto Star Winning Distance Special ~ Special
5-2 Under 7 Lengths
5-2 Over 7 Lengths
10 Exactly 7 Lengths

How Many Irish Trained Festival Winners ~ Special
7-4 6.5 – 8.5
6-4 Over 8.5
2 Under 6.5

How Many Winners Will R. Walsh Have At The Cheltenham Festival 2010? ~
6-4 4.5 – 6.5
7-4 Over 6.5
2 Under 4.5


How Many Winners Will P.Nicholls Have At The Cheltenham Festival 2010 ~
33 None
14 One
12 Two
9-2 Three
9-4 Four
5-2 Five
5 Six
12 Seven Or More

Gold Cup 2010-Kauto Star v Denman v The Field ~ Special
4-6 Kauto Star
11-4 The Field
3 Denman

Cheltenham Festival News from Racing Diary

Tidal Bay runs in World Hurdle

Tidal Bay is unlikely to go anywhere for a racecourse gallop before his tilt at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The 2008 Arkle Trophy hero seemed to have lost his way over fences but looked right back to his best when returning to the smaller obstacles for the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January. Johnson is thrilled with the nine-year-old’s current condition and while one or two of his other Festival contenders could work after racing at Doncaster on Saturday, Tidal Bay is unlikely to be among them.

“He’s seems in good form and while some of the others might go somewhere to work, I’d say he’d be happy enough to stay at home,” said Johnson. He isn’t a horse who takes much getting fit so we’ll just keep him ticking over until Cheltenham and hope the ground is right. I really hope they don’t start watering there after the winter we’ve had.”

Big Bucks is many people’s idea of the festival banker, Tidal Bay is a good horse, but could he be the each-way value in the field. Get the best price on the World Hurdle and Tidal Bay;

Cheltenham Festival News from Racing Diary

Big Bucks World Hurdle Favourite

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: 4/6 Dunguib, 6 Rite Of Passage, 8 Get Me Out Of Here, 9 Blackstairmountain, 12 Menorah, Oscar Whisky, 14 Peddlers Cross, 20 Loosen My Load, Bellvano, General Miller, Morning Supreme, 25 Pepe Simo, Ghizao, Salden Licht, Arvika Ligeonniere, Dan Breen, Dr Whizz, Fionnegas, Puyol, 33 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

Irish Independent Arkle Trophy: 7/2 Captain Cee Bee, 11/2 Long Run, Sizing Europe, Somersby, 9 Riverside Theatre, 12 Sports Line, 14 Tataniano, 16 Mikael d’Haguenet, An Cathaoir Mor, Shakervilz, 20 Osana, Citizen Vic, 25 Quwetwo, Bergo, The Nightingale, Woolcombe Folly, 33 bar.

Get a £25 Free Bet for Cheltenham

¼ 1-2-3

Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle: 10/3 Solwhit, Go Native, 8 Zaynar, Khyber Kim, 9 Medermit, 10 Dunguib, 11 Punjabi, 12 Celestial Halo, 16 Starluck, 20 Sublimity, 25 Donna’s Palm, Quevega, 40 bar

¼ 1-2-3

Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle: 5/2 Rite Of Passage, 7 Finians Rainbow, 10 Reve de Sivola, 12 Quel Esprit, Quantitativeeasing, Peddlers Cross, 14 Coole River, Restless Harry, Najaf, 16 Shinrock Paddy, Wishfull Thinking, Get Me Out Of Here, Masterofthehall, Morning Supreme, 20 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

RSA Chase – totesport bet: 3 Punchestowns, 9/2 Long Run, 11/2 Diamond Harry, 9 Weird Al, 10 Weapons Amnesty, 12 Mikael D’Haguenet, Pandorama, 20 Bensalem, Burton Port, Tazbar, The Nightingale, Citizen Vic, 25 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

Queen Mother Champion Chase: 8/11 Master Minded, 5 Twist Magic, Kalahari King, 7 Big Zeb, 10 Forpadydeplasterer, 14 Petit Robin, 16 Barker, 25 Golden Silver, Well Chief, Free World, Tranquil Sea, 33 Oh Crick, Voy Por Ustedes, 50 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

Ryanair Chase: 7/2 Poquelin, 5 Barbers Shop, 11/2 Tranquil Sea, 10 Schindlers Hunt, 12 Voy Por Ustedes, Planet Of Sound, 14 Petit Robin, 16 Deep Purple, Albertas Run, Barker, 20 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

Ladbrokes World Hurdle : 4/7 Big Buck’s, 6 Karabak, 7 Tidal Bay, 10 Sentry Duty, 20 Cousin Vinny, Time For Rupert, 25 Katchit, Mourad, War Of Attrition, 33 Lie Forrit, Powerstation, Mr Thriller, 40 Fair Along, Cape Tribulation, Jumbo Rio, 50 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

JCB Triumph Hurdle – totesport bet: 5 Mille Chief, 6 Alaivan, Carlito Brigante, 8 Secant Star, 16 Pittoni, Advisor, Westlin Winds, Me Voici, Notus De La Tour, 20 Super Kenny, 25 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

Kauto Star Gold Cup Favourite

totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup : 4/6 Kauto Star, 11/4 Denman, 12 Imperial Commander, 14 Cooldine, 20 Taranis, What A Friend, 25 Tricky Trickster, 50 Madison du Berlais, Carruthers, 66 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup: Betting without Kauto Star & Denman : 11/4 Imperial Commander, Cooldine, 9/2 What A Friend, Taranis, 7 Tricky Trickster, 11 Madison Du Berlais, 12 Carruthers, 20 bar.

1/5 1-2-3

totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup: Kauto Star v Denman Match Bet : 8/15 Kauto Star, 11/8 Denman.

Both horses must start otherwise bet void

totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup: Tricast : 4 Paul Nicholls to train the 1-2-3

Compare Live Horseracing Odds

Cheltenham Festival News from Racing Diary