04 March 2014

Festival race preview: Ladbrokes World Hurdle

The announcement by Willie Mullins last weekend that his unbeaten mare Annie Power (7/4) will take her chance in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Festival has added extra spice to the event.

Four-time winner Big Buck’s (7/4) is aiming to return to reclaim his crown and the sponsors cannot split the two in the betting.

Big Buck’s’ record at Cheltenham is not in question but at 11 years old, is age catching up with him? Annie Power is six years old and the last six-year-old to win this race was… Big Buck’s.

At Fishers Cross (5/1) posted a much better effort in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham back in January when finishing a narrow runner-up to Knockara Beau (Big Buck’s was in third on his comeback from injury).

After an excellent season in 2012/2013, Rebecca Curtis’ gelding had not been able to recapture that form at the start of this season.