Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has given superstar hurdler Big Buck’s a clean bill of health following his 15th straight win at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The Andy Stewart-owned nine-year-old briefly looked in trouble as Dynaste kicked clear turning for home in the Cleeve Hurdle but Ruby Walsh never really had to get too serious.
All roads now lead back to Cheltenham in a bid for a historic fourth victory in the World Hurdle.
“He’s done well winning 15 on the trot and they’ve all been decent races,” Nicholls said.
“He was his normal self on Saturday. He looked beaten for a second and then wins easily.
“That’s just him. He’s come out of the race very well, he cantered (on Tuesday) and now we’ll just tick him over and get him right for the Festival,” he told At The Races.
Nicholls was also pleased with the Stewart-owned Poquelin, who was second to The Giant Bolster under top weight in the Murphy Group Chase.
“He ran a great race and Harry (Derham) had a great ride off him as well. He’d been ill since he ran at Cheltenham over Christmas but he’ll go for the Ryanair Chase now,” added Nicholls.
“He’s run well in it for the past two years, but he just falls a little short of Grade One level.
“He always runs a solid race and he’s better off in the Ryanair than in a handicap.”