Is Big Bucks back?!

I dont think he lost anything in defeat, PN said yesterday he would have liked to have got another racecourse gallop into him, its a shame he has lost his unbeaten record but I still think he is the one they all have to beat in the World Hurdle come March. I would be very surprised if Knockara Beau beats him again.

What are peoples thoughts on the way STD rode him? there are people on the Racing Post comments blaming him saying he gave him a shocking ride. Most of those commentating will have had burnt fingers so not exactly unbiased.
 
I suppose you could argue that STD hit the front a bit too soon but I certainly wouldn't call it a shocking ride at all. He's 11 and back from a long lay off and we'll never know if he would have won had Ruby or whoever been on him. If ever there was a day when he was going to get beaten it was today. And it was a little bit lose/lose for STD anyway. If Big Bucks won there are people who would have said anyone would have won on him, if he lost the same people will blame the jockey. As long as he comes out of today ok he's got a seriously good chance of winning another World Hurdle. It was nice to see At Fishers Cross run much better today too. And I'm v.interested to see which race Annie Power will go for at the festival.
 
Last edited:
My first thought was that Sam went too soon on him - but he must have felt confident as he had plenty horse underneath him when he looked back, so I think he could only ride the race the way he found it. I watched the rerun a few times, and the horse did tire, and Sam doesn't know him the way Ruby does.

He has big boots to fill following Ruby, and I don't think Ruby would have got beaten on the horse, he'd have boxed a bit clever when the other jocks were leaving him in front to get a pull. But there's only one Ruby.

I hope he's as good as ever - March will tell. He's going to have to work if Annie Power goes for the World tho!
 
I'm sad that he's lost his unbeaten record especially as it's hard not to think that it was jockey error and not a reflection on the horse's ability.....Ruby never rode him like that, so why change tactics ?
 
I feel very sorry for Sam but do think driver error had a big effect today. Like has been said, Ruby would have won on him. Mind you, Knockara Beau was up the front from the start, but he did have a big breather in the middle.
Annie Power - what a horse, I would like to see her in the Champion Hurdle. She just flew, I think she was still pulling when she crossed the line!
 
No I don't think they will, if the Fly is fit and well. Problems all trainers would like to have! I suppose she will go to the World Hurdle in reality.
 
I think Annie Power will take on Big Bucks in the World Hurdle - if any one knows just how to beat Big Bucks it's Ruby!

I don't think Sam did a bad job on BB today at all. Unfortunately the only 2 horses he could get a tow from was the 2 outsiders that would never keep in front of him for as long he needed them too. Yes one did eventually beat him but Knockara Beau did drop right back leaving him in front before going again. None of the others would have been willing to take him on so early and thus potentially giving him the tow he needed to the last.

At the end of the day he is now 11yo, had more than a year off of the track, missed a gallop that would have been beneficial to him and had a certain amount of tactics used against him.

I don't think Ruby would have won on him.
 
It's so easy, and also so pointless, I accept, to consider that had there been a more experienced jockey on his back, then he may not have perhaps gone quite so soon, and that the turn of foot displayed may have been better saved for when there was a horse beside him, and to challenge him. Nonetheless, on the day, the better horse won. Re-run, and with different tactics, It's quite possible that there would have been a different result.

Annie Power? A cracking filly, what would I give to own her(?!!) but she hasn't the size or scope of Big Bucks, and I suspect that he would have the better of her, mostly. It would be an interesting race! For me, her's was the race, and she was the horse of the day.

Alec.
 
Alec Swan said:
It's so easy, and also so pointless, I accept, to consider that had there been a more experienced jockey on his back, then he may not have perhaps gone quite so soon, and that the turn of foot displayed may have been better saved for when there was a horse beside him, and to challenge him. Nonetheless, on the day, the better horse won. Re-run, and with different tactics, It's quite possible that there would have been a different resu
Annie Power? A cracking filly, what would I give to own her(?!!) but she hasn't the size or scope of Big Bucks, and I suspect that he would have the better of her, mostly. It would be an interesting race! For me, her's was the race, and she was the horse of the day.

Alec.
Click to expand...

Maybe the difference today was that only one of them had Ruby Walsh doing the steering !
 
Congratulations to the winner, he won it well and Big Bucks needed the race and will come on for that, for people to expect a horse to come out and win after being 14 months off the track is ridicules.
 
Echo Bravo said:
Congratulations to the winner, he won it well and Big Bucks needed the race and will come on for that, for people to expect a horse to come out and win after being 14 months off the track is ridicules.
Click to expand...

No it's not, lots of horses come back after a lay off and win and Big Bucks was probably capable of doing just that today, he needed to be held up though, never been his style to go from a long way out and was asking too much esp on heavy ground.
 
Al Ferof (injured same time as BB) came back off a year's break and won!

From PN this morning, so good news!

""Paul Nicholls ‏@PFNicholls
Big Bucks fine this morning. Eat up last eve & this morn and legs cold. All other runners fine. Bring on march 13th. # World Hurdle""
 
bonny said:
No it's not, lots of horses come back after a lay off and win and Big Bucks was probably capable of doing just that today, he needed to be held up though, never been his style to go from a long way out and was asking too much esp on heavy ground.
Click to expand...
This is not his main target, and the jockey and trainer might have their own ideas on how to ride a race. A horse that has had a career threatening injury should not be put to the sword.
 
Last edited:
Shame that Big Buck's lost his winning record but major congratulations to the winner and connections. Knockara Beau is a cracking looking horse and beautifully turned out by his groom. We were at Cheltenham and whilst they were in the parade ring for this race there was a huge thunder and lightening storm, with lightening coming down over Cleeve Hill. Very dramatic.
 
MrsD123 said:
This is not his main target, and the jockey and trainer might have their own ideas on how to ride a race. A horse that has had a career threatening injury should not be put to the sword.
Click to expand...

Many competitive horses are injured, mended and put to the sword with success.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Many competitive horses are injured, mended and put to the sword with success.
Click to expand...
and some break down again............. the most important thing is that the horse has come out of his race in one piece and will be able to go to Cheltenham Festival with a good chance of another victory.
I really don't know what people want on here, every good horse has to win every race? ............ its just not possible, or desirable. The betting odds and PN s remarks must have made the educated punter realise that this was not a shoo in.............
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top