Other bookmakers were more cautious, with Gold Cup sponsors Totesport as short as 8/1 for the Hennessy winner.
Nick Williams’ seven-year-old gelding travelled supremely well under Daryl Jacob and saw off the challenges of Burton Port and Denman, who couldn’t manage to concede two stone to his rivals but still put up an admirable effort. Burton Port is now a best-price 20/1 (Stan James) to win the blue riband Cheltenham event in March, whilst Denman can be backed at best-price 8/1 (Bet365).
Earlier on the card, Peddlers Cross continued his rise up the hurdling ranks with a smooth victory in the rearranged Fighting Fifth. In beating Starluck and Binocular by one and a quarter and six lengths respectively Peddlers Cross maintained his 100% record over hurdles and announced himself loudly as a serious Champion Hurdle contender, for which he is now a best-price 6/1 shot (Totesport).
Runner-up Starluck has been cut to best-price 25/1 (Bet365), whilst Binocular has been eased at the head of the market to around 9/2.
Trainer Donald McCain will probably fit two further races into Peddlers Cross before the Cheltenham Festival. The five year old has won over longer than two miles but also has an abundance of speed as McCain confirmed: "The speed he's got is scary. He showed that in a couple of racecourse gallops and what he does at home every day."
Binocular was beaten in this race last year before going on to land the Champion Hurdle and jockey Tony McCoy suggested that he was not too disappointed with the performance of the odds on favourite who will come on for the run.
The 2011 Champion Hurdle looks like being a very competitive race with Menorah and Silviniaco Conti also having put in impressive performances in recent weeks (see earlier posts for details).
Big Buck’s showed himself to be as good as ever when winning the Long Distance Hurdle and has consolidated his position at the head of the market for the 2011 World Hurdle, with the reigning champion now best-price 4/5 (Paddy Power).
This was his ninth hurdle success in a row and his first under Tony McCoy, deputising for the injured Ruby Walsh and Noel Fehily. Settled in the rear in the early stages, McCoy moved Big Buck's into contention on the home turn and was pushed clear in the straight, winning with any amount in hand from Duc De Regniere.
Diamond Harry wins the Hennessy at the weekend
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