61 ENTRIES FOR THE LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE - BUT IS THE RECORD NUMBER BECAUSE OF BIG BUCK'S?

A RECORD number of entries for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle has been received - a possible link between the departure of Big Buck's this season.

With a total of 61 entries, the field has been left wide open this year as the Paul Nicholls' wonder will not be taking part in the Cheltenham Festival race after sustaining an injury.

Four-time champion Big Buck's has, and always will be, a superstar to watch. But now after his shock departure from the season, I think other trainers have jumped in for a possibility of success.

At least now they know they'll be in for a chance!

Tidal Bay leads the way for Nicholls and is one of a team of six for the Ditcheat trainer - Wonderful Charm and Kauto Stone are also included.

If a Nicholls' horse does win, it will be the fifth consecutive World Hurdle for the yard.

However, I am a fan of Oscar Whisky - I have seen him around the Cheltenham track many times and have always admired watching him. He is definitely a class act and Nicky Henderson may be on to a winner with his entry.

Oscar Whisky is one of seven entries for Henderson and he has raced very well this season.

He always seems to have buzz about him and compared to other Henderson/Nicholls greats, Oscar Whisky, I think, is a dark horse (excuse the pun!)

It is a shame Big Buck's cannot take part but I still believe the World Hurdle will be fantastic to watch at the Festival.

Having a different winner will not hide Big Buck's achievements, but now the contest has opened up I think it will be refreshing to see another champion pass the post.

IT'S ANYONE'S GAME NOW - BIG BUCK'S DEPARTURE FROM WORLD HURDLE LEAVES DOOR OPEN FOR OTHER CONTENDERS

FOLLOWING Big Buck's shock departure from the remainder of the season, Quevega is now favourite to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

The four-time Cheltenham Festival winner is leading the pack despite connections often training her for the Grade 2 mares' race.

Bookmakers were thrown into uncertainty when Big Buck's was pulled out of the hurdle after sustaining a tendon injury - but who can benefit from the situation?

Quevega has definitely caused a debate among racing fans. Her win the last year's mares' hurdle was good but if she was to repeat the performance it would certainly not be enough to win the World Hurdle.

Nevertheless she is always up for a challenge and trainer Willie Mullins knows he has a capable mare on his hands that could give him bigger titles.

Tidal Bay is also thrown into the mix and it was interesting to see Paul Nicholls mention him within hours of breaking the news of Big Buck's departure.

He is a consistent horse around the Cheltenham track and it wouldn't surprise me if pulled off a stunning performance in the hurdle.

He has really improved this season: his competitive long-distance hurdle at Wetherby was fantastic and plenty of confidence was also seen in the Hennessy.

But I personally believe Oscar Whisky will shine in the hurdle. After watching him at Cheltenham races last weekend, it is clear the horse oozes confidence around the track.

Nicky Henderson has got a trick up his sleeve - and it is in the form of Oscar Whisky. I know Big Buck's departure has disappointed many, but it has opened a door for those who wouldn't have been in the reckoning.

After all, is that a bad thing?

Despite Oscar Whisky's flop in last year's race, Henderson is still backing his champion and why wouldn't he? The horse has previously charged up Cheltenham hill four times to victory and if he holds his nerve in the World Hurdle I think he can pull off a tremendous win.

The market is fresh and even though Big Buck's will be missed in the World Hurdle, I am excited to see who else will finish on top.

AINTREE SELECTIONS - DAY ONE

2:00 - Big Bucks
          Tidal Bay (e/w bet)


2:30 - Lyvius
          Grumeti (e/w bet)


3:05 - Riverside Theatre


3:40 - Boxer Georg
          My Way De Solzen (e/w bet)


4:15 - Tanks For That
          Kumbeshwar (e/w bet)


4:50 - Pepite Rose


5:25 - Oscar Prairie 

SELECTIONS FOR DAY 3 OF THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

1:30 - Champion Court [e/w]


2:05 - Sergent Guib's


2:40 - Somersby


3:20 - Big Buck's
Oscar Whisky [e/w]


4:00 - The Cockney Mackem [e/w]


4:40 - Midnight Appeal

DAVID PIPE TO ANNOUNCE GRANDS CRUS DECISION WEEK BEFORE FESTIVAL

David Pipe will announce whether or not Grands Crus will race in the Gold Cup a week before the race.

Race fans will have to wait a few more weeks to discover if the grey will be up against the heavy-weights in March.

Pipe said today that the ability of his top novice chaser to jump fences at Gold Cup standard is "probably the only issue" that needs to be resolved before a decision is made on whether Grands Crus will race in the Gold Cup or the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next month.

However, that all-important decision could be left until five days before the RSA Chase on 14 March, as Pipe and the owners will weigh-up the opposition in the two races.

Pipe's guide on Grands Crus:

• We would have liked to go to Newbury  with him, that was the plan, but unfortunately that was the only race they didn't put on.
• He's got enough experience: he's had three runs as I wanted to get some runs into him early because you never know what will happen with the weather.
• He's made one mistake in those three runs.
• He's jumped very well, he's jumped around Cheltenham, and Newbury and Kempton, flat tracks, galloping tracks, and he's obviously a very exciting horse.
• I think it probably shows you how good he is that he finished so close to Big Buck's in the World Hurdle last year. I thought it was a fantastic race, Tom Scudamore gave him a cracking ride and we nearly pulled it off but Big Buck's had something to say.

My Opinion:

I think Pipe should think seriously about entering Grands Crus in the Gold Cup - if he did it would be an even more exciting race to watch. To put another top-class horse in the race would add greater thrill to the mix. The chaser would be in for a high chance too.

MY SELECTIONS FOR CHELTENHAM - SATURDAY JANUARY 28 2012

12:55 - Baby Mix
Currently on form and with Paddy Brennan on board the horse will be difficult to beat.

13:10 - Reverse Exacta: That'lldoboy
                                        Charminster

14:10 - Chance Du Roy
Fancy a outsider for this race. Horse been travelling well and with Johnson as jockey the horse should be capable of producing a good performance.

14:35 - Midnight Chase
Has won at Cheltenham before and in for a fair chance. Travels well over fences so should be given a second look.

15:10 - Broadbackbob

15:40 - Big Buck's
Can he win for the 15th consecutive time? In a competitive field but with the pace he's producing this should be ideal for him. Horse to beat.

16:10 - Hinterland
Ruby Walsh on board and the horse has run well previously. In for a good shot.
            Feeling Lucky? Koup De Kanon for the exacta.

BIG BUCKS EN ROUTE TO BECOMING A LEGEND AFTER 14TH CONSECUTIVE WIN

BIG BUCKS is now on the road to being a legendary horse in the racing world after winning his 14th successive victory on Saturday (17th).

The horse, trained by Paul Nicholls, has a special talent that was easily visible in the Lough Derg Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, and it is fair to say that he is now en route to becoming one of the greatest horses in the sport.

If Nicholls had not steered the horse back to hurdles, Big Bucks' story would have been very different.

Stablemates Kauto Star and Denman add to Nicholls' success as both horses are also champions within the sport. Even though Denman retired earlier this month due to injury, 'The Tank' is remains high up with the greatest.

The reappearance of Big Buck's in the public eye will increase his interest in the Festival early next year, where he will try and make a 15th consecutive win. 

Ruby Walsh summed up Big Bucks' potential by claiming the horse could win an Ascot Gold Cup.

This horse is definitely one to put your money on.