Ladbrokes World Hurdle
The Ladbrokes World Hurdle is the highlight on yet another incredible day’s racing at the Cheltenham Festival. The race is a Grade 1 hurdle for horses aged four and above. Run over a distance of approximately 3 miles, the testing trip will see the horses tackle 12 jumps. The race was initially known as The Stayer’s Hurdle and that reflects the demanding nature of 3 miles at the Cheltenham racecourse.
The race has been very popular with the favourite backers in recent years. Six of the last ten winners have been the favourites, whilst the biggest starting price for a winner in the last ten years was 8/1 for My Way De Solzen in 2006. All of the betting trends indicate the winner will be the one who has been dominant over the season at the top level.
Banking On Big Buck’s For The World Hurdle
With the Cheltenham Festival being the crown jewel of jump racing, it’s only natural that the calibre of the racing is unrivalled in quality. With the cream of the crop on show at the festival, picking out winners can be a tricky task. Backing the favourites could be an expensive decision to make. There is, of course, exceptions to the rules.
There aren’t likely to be that many “bankers” at the Cheltenham Festival. However, if you’re looking for a horse that fits the profile then one that has won this last fourteen races, including the last three World Hurdles, would certainly fit that profile. Of course I am talking about the simply brilliant Big Buck’s. His most recent run at Ascot, when winning the Grade 1 Lough Derg Long Walk Hurdle, was merely further testimony to the sheer talent that this horse has. Dynaste, who had bolted up on his previous start, looked to make it a challenge and set a good clip. There was even a brief stage where Big Buck’s needed a little nudge. But that was all. Just a little nudge and moments later he surged clear and won as easy as you like. Job done. His starting price of 3/10 actually offered anybody with a nice amount of cash an easy investment opportunity. And the same simply has to be said about him again at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. Bank on Big Bucks to make it four successive wins in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle 2012.
Despite the presence of the all conquering Big Buck’s, there will still be some high class horses in the race that deserve respect. The most interesting runner for me is Oscar Whisky. The Nicky Henderson trained son of Oscar only found Hurricane Fly and Peddlers Cross too good in the Champion Hurdle at last year’s festival. However I think that trip isn’t his best. He is 4/4 when racing over 2 miles and 4 furlongs and connections must feel the step up in trip can produce further improvement. He was very impressive last time out, barely extending himself to beat the useful Poungach. The trip remains an unknown, but he could represent value in the betting without the favourite market that many bookies offer.
The next challenger in the market is the wonderfully versatile grey Thousand Stars. Running over the 2 mile trip most often, he has put in some big performances at the top level, but has all too frequently had to live in the shadow of his exalted stablemate Hurricane Fly. Thousand Stars was able to land Grade 1 glory finally when winning the French Champion Hurdle in Auteuil. Stepped up in trip to the 3 miles and 1/2 furlong, the likeable grey was delivered after the last, a well measured ride from Ruby Walsh. He has since reverted back to the 2 mile trip, landing Grade 1 glory in the Morgiana Hurdle before finishing second in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle, also Grade 1. It remains to be seen what race he will take but remains unexposed over this longer trip.
It’s currently not an easy task to know who else is likely to run that could feasibly challenge. Along with Thousand Stars, Willie Mullins has a string of classy horses all with entries and he must be respected. One has to suspect that they will all be running for second place, however.