Big Buck’s has been backed to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival after he powered to another facile success at Ascot on Saturday.
The legendary staying hurdler cruised to victory in the Long Walk Hurdle and the bookies were eventually blown away by support for the superstar as he was clipped into 4/6 for the next March's contest.
Ladbrokes are already non-runner money-back on the race and the firm’s David Williams explained: "Our initial quote of 4/5 was impossible to resist for Big Buck's fans and we soon went 4/6. He once again confirmed his total supremacy in the staying hurdling division."
After another easy victory, trainer Paul Nicholls explained: "He's all class. He looked fat at Newbury and I thought he was a lot fitter today.
"He's such a character and you've really got to manage him. But he was really good today and I hope he will continue to be hard to beat.
"We'll have to see, but I wouldn't have thought he would run again until Cheltenham.
"He won't ever go over fences now, he doesn't like them and he is too good at that job."
Walsh said: "He's an incredible stayer with loads of pace. He's just a very good horse. He's maturing and growing up.
"Going right-handed wasn't an issue, it might have been a few years ago but now now. He's incredible."
An equally delighted Ruby Walsh rode the horse to victory and he continued: "He's an incredible stayer with loads of pace. He's just a very good horse. He's maturing and growing up.
"Going right-handed wasn't an issue, it might have been a few years ago but now now. He's incredible."