The champion jockey has been lucky enough to partner Paul Nicholls' dual World Hurdle winner in both of his races this season in the absence of the injured Ruby Walsh.
Andy Stewart's eight-year-old has not come off the bridle in maintaining his unbeaten record over timber in England, but plenty of judges have suggested he will face his stiffest test next next month against David Pipe's exciting youngster.
However, McCoy believes the grey's free-running style could be a disadvantage at the Festival:
"To me, if you look at the best stayers, they always race behind the bridle. Horses like (dual winner) Baracouda and (three-time winner) Inglis Drever never travelled through their races the way Grands Crus did in the Cleeve Hurdle.
"I could be wrong, but he'd have to be some horse to have enough in reserve to beat Big Buck's."
The form of Grands Crus was given a boost at Carlisle yesterday as Knockara Beau won the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle off top-weight.
Grands Crus shot towards the head of the betting for the World Hurdle with an imperious display in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and Knockara Beau came home best of the rest.
The 21lb extra that Knockara Beau was carrying yesterday was not enough to stop the eight-year-old in the Pertemps qualifier and gives supporters of Grands Crus, his ten-length conqueror in the Cleeve Hurdle, reason to be cheerful.
Knockara Beau will now head for the Pertemps Final at the Festival. His trainer George Charlton had considered reverting back to the larger obstacles with his stable star but has had a change of heart:
"He'll go for the Pertemps Final. After his last run we thought this would be the best route and he did it well with his big weight. He knows his way round Cheltenham and the chases look pretty hot so we'll go for the hurdle."
World Hurdle leading contender best-price odds:
This table displays the current best-price available for each horse with odds updated in real-time. To claim a free bet from any of these bookmakers click the links below:
Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet
Pertemps Final leading contender best-price odds:
Bet365 £200 free bet | Skybet £35 free bet | Will Hill £25 free bet | 888sport £25 free bet Victor Chandler £25 free bet | Stan James £25 free bet | Paddy Power £50 free bet Sportingbet £50 free bet | Ladbrokes £25 free bet | totesport £10 free bet
For all the latest bookmakers free bets & Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.
Big Buck's is currently best-price evens for the 2011 World Hurdle
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