Big Buck's will be the banker of the meeting for many punters when he lines up in the World Hurdle (3.20), a race he won last year after a protracted duel with Punchestowns.

The Favourite
Big Buck's has looked in a league of his own in the staying division for a while now and is justifiably odds-on for a repeat success - 8/13 with Skybet. After falling at the last fence in the 2008 Hennessy (probably would have won), which prompted connections to switch him back to hurdling, he has proved unbeatable. Even the combined talents of Karabak and Diamond Harry could not make an impression on him at Newbury last time, and he quickened away brilliantly, despite hating the heavy ground, to take his score to six from six over hurdles. With no Punchestowns to worry about this time and, with Diamond Harry also having gone down the chasing route, plausible dangers are thin on the ground.

The Dangers
Karabak (8/1 Blue Square), beaten three and a half lengths in the rescheduled Long Walk, is back for another go and has plenty to find on that form, although you could argue there is more to come as he has had just seven starts over hurdles and both starts this season, though a level up from last season, came when his trainer Alan King was out of form.

2008 Arkle winner Tidal Bay (7/1 bet365) has not reached the same dizzy heights since but, like Big Buck's, he appeared to relish going back over hurdles when winning a key trial - the Cleeve Hurdle - last time out, scoring by five lengths from useful yardstick Time For Rupert (20/1 general). He was made second favourite for this race on the back of that and, with Cheltenham form figures of '12211341' (which include a first and second at the festival), he will be a popular each-way bet against the favourite.

Sentry Duty (14/1 Boylesports) has been tailed off at the last two festivals and has to stretch his stamina to figure here, while Katchit is not totally convincing at this trip either.

Longshot
2006 Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition is an interesting 33/1 shot now that he's been revitalised by hurdles and might stay on better than some of his younger rival.

Verdict
He's unbeaten over hurdles in Britain and has upwards of 11lb in hand over his rivals, so Big Buck's is a banker - right? No. He's by far the most likely winner of course, but his tendency to hit a flat spot during his races is disconcerting and, while he keeps getting away with it, he's going to get caught out one day and TIDAL BAY might be the one take advantage. Even if he only makes the frame, we stand to make a small profit by backing him each-way at 7/1 (bet365).