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Big Bucks Back For World Hurdle
Big
Bucks missed out on the opportunity to make it five consecutive
wins in the World Hurdle last year as an injury ruled him out of the
championship race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Paul Nicholls’ runner had dominated
the three mile hurdle division up until his setback, in which he was
able to record 18 straight victories.
A change back to hurdles was made after
the horse unseated Sam Thomas in the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup. It
proved to be one of Nicholls’ best decisions of his training career
so far as it allowed the horse to shine.
Big Bucks’ first victory in the World
Hurdle arrived in 2009 where he defeated Punchestowns for the crown.
In
2010 it was Time For Rupert who offered him a stern test in which
he passed by defending his title for his second win.
Further successes arrived in 2011 and
2012 which helped the horse enter the record books and set him up for
a fifth consecutive success in 2013.
His campaign started well ahead of the
2012/2013 season as he won the Long Distance Hurdle once again at
Newbury. However, it was after that win that it was announced the
horse would miss the remainder of the campaign. That put him out of
the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham and the World Hurdle at the same
track later in the year.
Big Bucks’ anticipated return arrived
in the 2014 Cleeve Hurdle at Prestbury Park where he was expected to
make a winning comeback as he was odds-on to do so. However, the
11-year old could only manage third behind 66/1 shock winner Knockara
Beau and At Fishers Cross. It was the first time Sam Twiston-Davies
was on board the horse in public after he was announced by the owners
as the man who will continue to ride him now that Ruby Walsh was no
longer retained by Nicholls.
After winning the Albert Bartlett
Novices’ Hurdle at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival, At Fishers Cross
appeared to be the biggest threat to Big Bucks’ crown in the 3m
hurdle division, but he has yet to score so far this season in three
starts.
The Nicky Henderson runner was fourth
when going off the odds-on favourite in the Long Distance Hurdle in
November at Newbury, providing
a bit of an upset to any bet and watch punters taking a chance on
him.
At Fishers Cross then disappointed
again at Ascot as he unseated Champion Jockey Tony McCoy during the
Long Walk which was won by Reve De Sivola.
His latest effort ahead of Big Buck’s
was more encouraging though, and forced bookmakers to cut his price
ahead of the World Hurdle next month.
Last year’s winner Solwhit will be
unable to return to defend his crown as he has been ruled out for the
rest of the season through injury. Ireland’s best chance of winning
the race once again according the betting is Rule The World.
The Gigginstown-Stud owned horse was
second at the Festival 12 months ago in the Neptune Investment
Management Novices’ Hurdle. A step up in trip is expected to suit
the seven-year old who is prominent in the market.
JCB Triumph Hurdle Winner 2013: The Making of Our Conor
Just fifteen months after his birth, this wide-eyed colt made his first journey to the Old Fairyhouse Stud at Ratoath - Tattersalls Yearling September Sales. Over the next two days this renowned bloodstock auction would sell 550 lots of yearlings to buyers from across the world. Lot No 193 didn't catch the eye of potential buyers in the sales ring. But local bloodstock agent Noel Hayes returned to this yearling's barn where he purchased him post sale for 4,500euros.
Dessie Hughes, father of British champion jockey Richard Hughes, took charge of training this colt for the Man about Town Syndicate. Their pride and joy was called - Our Conor.
Although he didn't race until three years of age his trainer realised at two he was something out of the ordinary. On the 27th May, 2012, he made his debut on the Flat at the Curragh, competing at 1m 2f in the Kilsaran International Maiden. His starting odds of 33/1 suggested little was expected that day. Ridden by Fergal Lynch, he finished ninth of eighteen runners.
From such an inauspicious start - Our Conor was beginning to find his stride.
Less than two weeks later he travelled to Roscommon. A significant drop in distance saw him win on soft ground at seven furlongs. Staying on well, he won by a neck. Perhaps this was a sign he took after after his sire, Jeremy. This high-class horse was trained by Sir Michael Stoute achieving black type, including a victory in the Betfred Mile (Group 2) at Sandown and narrow short-head loser in the Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) at Royal Ascot.
Our Conor won his next start at Naas over one mile. He raced three more times on the Flat at Leopardstown, Galway & Listowel - placed on each start.
However, connections had a very different plan for this three-year-old when heading to Navan to compete in his first hurdle race. Big things were expected of Our Conor. However,testing ground and ten hurdles set a new challenge. Ridden by Bryan Cooper, he started at 8/13 favourite. He chased the leaders. Showing his natural ability, he went second at halfway, travelling well to lead before two out. He quickened clear at the final hurdle to win easily by more than eight lengths.
In December, he was sent to Fairyhouse to compete in the Bar One Racing Juvenile 3-Y-O Hurdle (Grade 3). Running over two miles on soft ground, he faced a stiffer contest against previous winners. Sent off a hot favourite he kept on well to towards the finish to win by two-and-a-half lengths and received prize money of almost £15,000.
That winter the Man about Town Syndicate couldn't help but dream come March 2013 their horse would become part of Cheltenham history. Take a look back at last year's race action by visiting this website http://www.kingstonpeople.co.uk/Eyes-Racing-World-Turn-Cheltenham/story-18287047-detail/story.html and see why the racing world comes alive with this annual meeting.
Come February 9th Our Conor would be set his toughest test to date. The Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) at Leopardstown. Racing on soft ground, eight hurdles and a host of talented four-year-old horses stood in his path. Could he beat Willie Mullins' strong favourite Diakali? The answer was as emphatic as his comfortable win. Connections won prize money of almost £37,000.
Better still, the Cheltenham dream was still alive and he would take his place at the festival. On the 15th March 2013 Our Conor joined sixteen talented horses at the start of the JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1). Check out last year's race action at this site http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/commercial-features/Your-guide-for-the-2013-Cheltenham-Festival.htm and feel the anticipation, excitement and sense of occasion that signifies the Cheltenham Festival. Last year a host of trainers including Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls & Willie Mullins fielded the best horses in their stables. Old adversaries contended, jockeys and horses eager to prove they could be champion. Could Our Conor beat hot favourite Rolling Star? At odds of 4/1 many fancied he would.
As the starter climbed his rostrum, the crowd cheered as the tape rose heralding the start of the Triumph Hurdle. Two two miles and one furlong, eight hurdles and a helter-skelter pace would test their mettle. Bryan Cooper chased the leaders riding with confidence. Boy did Our Conor travel well! Leading on the bit two hurdles from home he looked to be enjoying the rain-softened ground and Cheltenhan roar. In strides, he drew effortlessly clear of the field to win impressively by fifteen length.
A dream come true...
Dessie Hughes [trainer] said: ''Everything went well and he jumped brilliant - he's a real one isn't he? I couldn't expect a performance like that. He was on the bit all the way, he was loving it. He has shown us a lot since his last run in Leopardstown - we thought he'd improved every day. We schooled him over hurdles as a two-year-old and he was absolutely fantastic, so we always looked forward to him going jumping.''
Bryan Cooper said: "I've never had a feeling like that before in my life, I was there a mile too soon!
1:30 Cheltenham (14th March) JCB Triumph Hurdle (Race Trends)
What about the Triumph Hurdle trends? Here are some pointers.
The vast majority of recent winners have won on their last start before the festival. Generally they have an official rating over 80 on the Flat and raced over one and a half miles. Our Conor was the first Irish horse to win in the last twelve years, so English-trained horses often hold the aces. A preparatory race in the month before the festival is another key factor to finding a winner and most have at least three runs over hurdles. Fancied horse often go best - so outsiders are best watched.
Paul Nicholls' Calipto looks to hold solid each way claims.
3:20 Cheltenham (11th March) Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy Grade 1
 |
| Hurricane Fly |
Hurricane Fly
The New One
My Tent Or Yours
Our Conor
Annie Power
Jezki
Un De Sceaux
Melodic Rendezvous
Grumeti
Ptit Zig
Thousand Stars
Julia Feilden 3 To Follow Competition - Win £100
One horse must be chosen from POOL A (two-year & three year olds) whilst two horses are chosen from POOL B (older horses). All turf, all-weather & jumps races count so pick the horses that you think will earn you the most points throughout the year! Once you've chosen, email your 'Three to Follow' to Ross at rbirkett1989@hotmail.co.uk It's free to enter and there's a £100 prize to the winner so it would be stupid not to enter!
POOL A PICK ONE Duke of Diamonds, Opus Two, Captain Navarre, Previous Acclaim, Italia, Celestine Abbey, Mercy Me, Bushy Glade, Tolly McGuinness.
POOL B PICK TWO Honeymoon Express, Candesta, Silver Alliance, No Such Number, Sheila's Heart, Avidly, Meddling, Luhaif, Vastly, Automotive, Attain, The Ducking Stool, Bethan, Veeraya, Omega Omega, Amelia George, Handheld, Sadiigah, Tiger's Home.
GOOD LUCK!!!
Welcome to the white turf 2014
In addition, members of the organising committee along with their staff and countless volunteers ensure that the 35,000 visitors who attend these unique race-meetings on 9th, 16th and 23rd February can enjoy a flutter, cheer on the horses they have backed and enjoy top-quality catering in a number of marquees put up specially on the frozen lake. What is more, visitors have the opportunity of winning holidays in luxury hotels on far-off tropical islands.
If you have a passion for racing, or just want to spend an unforgettable day out at a unique event in spectacular winter surroundings, make sure you join us in February in St Moritz.
For more details visit White Turf Website.
Yours sincerely,
Silvio Martin Staub
President & CEO White Turf
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