Timeform / 03 February 2010 Free Bet View Market

Some may argue the staying hurdle scene has become somewhat stale with Big Buck's dominating the division since his toppling of Puncestowns in the 2009 World Hurdle, but Timeform ratings suggest it's anything but a case of monotony and that we're witnessing a sporting great at his peak.

Okay, so one Festival success hardly stands loud and proud in the record books, particularly with it coming hot on the heels of Inglis Drever's heart-warming hat-trick of World Hurdles, but comparison in terms of their performances leaves no doubt which is the better horse, a figure of 174+ on Big Buck's placing him some 5 lb, and therefore six lengths, in advance of anything Inglis Drever ever achieved, with the + attached to the rating reflective of the fact that the current champion looks capable of better still should any of his rivals be good enough to force it from him.

That looks an unlikely scenario in this season's Festival showpiece, with the established stayers having come up some way short of the favourite's standard time and time again, whilst Big Buck's saw off the best of the up-and-coming horses in Karabak and Diamond Harry with something to spare in Newbury's Long Walk Hurdle in December, a defeat that's since seen the latter's connections admit defeat and turn attentions to chasing. Karabak could well be the one to give Big Buck's the most to do at Cheltenham though has 12 lb to find with his rival, whilst the progressive Lie Forrit has a profile that will suit many an each-way punter, but in terms of achievement so far his figure of 152p leaves him with bags of improvement to find. In short, Big Buck's look untouchable in his current form. Sit back and enjoy.

Timeform ratings of leading contenders:

174+ Big Buck's
162 Karabak
159 Lough Derg
158 Fair Along
157+ Sentry Duty