The Ladbrokes World Hurdle is a Grade 1 listed race and takes place on the Thursday of the 2009 Cheltenham Festival. It is the only hurdle race to be run over 3 miles. This year’s betting looks to be between the big three of Kasbah Bliss, Punchestowns and Big Bucks.

2008’s runner up in the World hurdle, Kasbah Bliss, looks set to be the favourite going into this year’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle following Inglis Drever’s retirement. Kasbah Bliss is currently available at 5/4 with several bookmakers including Ladbrokes. He has been in fine form this season and he showed his class by winning the Blue Square Hurdle at Haydock Park a month ago.

Punchestowns and Big Bucks appear to be the next closest challengers of Kasbah Bliss. These two horses faced off earlier in the season when they appeared in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January. On that occasion it was Big Bucks who triumphed but Punchestowns was an extremely close second and he also looked in great shape. Big Bucks is currently available at around 5/1 (Boylesports) with Punchestowns slightly better value at 7/2 (Betfred).
So much of Punchestowns and Big Bucks challenge will rest on what the ground will be like on the day of the race. Punchestowns is a horse that very much likes solid ground and he could be in with a real chance should he get his wish come Thursday. Big Bucks on the other hand is much more at home when the going is soft and damp, he will definately pose a serious threat if the ground is to his liking.