Connections had been considering running him in the race on Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham at the end of the month, but Nicholls said today that he had opted to give the eight-year-old a break before his attempt at a third consecutive win in the Grade 1 staying hurdle championship, for which he is a best-price 4/7 (Bet365) shot.
The move reflects the campaign Nicholls mapped out for Big Buck's last year, who followed his win in the Long Walk Hurdle in December with victories at Cheltenham in March and Aintree in April.
Nicholls said: "Taking in the Cleeve Hurdle was our original plan. But he will be given a break instead and his campaign will now mirror last season's, with the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals his next targets."
"I just thought it best to let everyone know as soon as possible."
Big Buck's won the Cleeve Hurdle in 2009 as part of his current ten-run unbeaten sequence which includes five Grade 1 wins.
Meanwhile, Cork All Star, winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper in 2007, could bid for more Cheltenham Festival glory in the Christie's Foxhunter Chase for which he is currently best-price 14/1 (Stan James).
The nine-year-old, formerly trained by Jessica Harrington, has not raced under rules since November 2008, but returned to action in a point-to-point at Cottenham on Sunday.
New trainer Joanna Quinlan said on Wednesday: "He had been at home at [his owner's] Swordlestown Stud for over two years after picking up a knee injury and he came to me six weeks ago. He is perfectly sound now and has delighted us with everything he has done.
"The aim is run in the open point-to-point for men at Highham at the end of the month and then we aim to run in a hunter chase at Fakenham or Huntingdon. If he qualifies we want to run him in the Christie's Foxhunter at Cheltenham and then the big hunter chase at Punchestown."
Big Bucks is overwhelming favourite for the 2011 World Hurdle
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