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2014 World Hurdle
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Rhinestone Cowboy
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Twiston-Davies is somewhat peeved to have heard criticism regarding his ride on Big Buck’s in January’s Cleeve Hurdle, when the great long-distance hurdler failed to win his 19th consecutive race. He insists Nicholls had asked him specifically to “always be positive” on the 11-year-old rather than to hold him up and attempt to beat tiring runners up Cheltenham’s famous hill late on. Big Buck’s had not raced for nearly 14 months.
“It was obviously great to ride the horse, a lot of pressure but at the same time pressure I really wanted and if it wasn’t Big Buck’s everyone would have been delighted with the way he ran. It was just the fact he’d won 18 and there was a lot of people thinking it was going to be 19 but it was a very, very competitive race. Reve De Sivola finished behind him after winning two Grade 1s himself and behind him was Boston Bob. They’re two solid enough yard-sticks and maybe it was one of those days that things didn’t go right but Paul wanted to get a good blow into him so when it comes to Cheltenham he’ll be hard fit and then he’ll be ready to rock ‘n roll.
“I’m sure you’ll see the real, real Big Buck’s at Cheltenham. He still showed that all that ability is still there by the way he travelled, jumped and did everything bar the last 50 yards where he got tired.”
“It was obviously great to ride the horse, a lot of pressure but at the same time pressure I really wanted and if it wasn’t Big Buck’s everyone would have been delighted with the way he ran. It was just the fact he’d won 18 and there was a lot of people thinking it was going to be 19 but it was a very, very competitive race. Reve De Sivola finished behind him after winning two Grade 1s himself and behind him was Boston Bob. They’re two solid enough yard-sticks and maybe it was one of those days that things didn’t go right but Paul wanted to get a good blow into him so when it comes to Cheltenham he’ll be hard fit and then he’ll be ready to rock ‘n roll.
“I’m sure you’ll see the real, real Big Buck’s at Cheltenham. He still showed that all that ability is still there by the way he travelled, jumped and did everything bar the last 50 yards where he got tired.”
mayo
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It was all going on while I was out 
Speaking after racing at Leopardstown on Sunday, Mullins said: "All things remaining well with the horses, this is where things stand. Ruby will ride Annie Power in the World Hurdle. I've spoken with the owners and they are happy with that plan.
"Ruby will be on Hurricane Fly in the Stan James Champion Hurdle and Quevega in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle."
Speaking after racing at Leopardstown on Sunday, Mullins said: "All things remaining well with the horses, this is where things stand. Ruby will ride Annie Power in the World Hurdle. I've spoken with the owners and they are happy with that plan.
"Ruby will be on Hurricane Fly in the Stan James Champion Hurdle and Quevega in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle."
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MG - it came from Andy Smith who tweets as @festivalracing. He is a bookie and seems well informed. He was on the money about Sprinter Sacre not showing up and hinted about Cue Card too. Dont think he is a lucky guesser but who knows.
Leading owner Andy Stewart has welcomed the news Annie Power will take on Big Buck's in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Stewart said: "I think it's great they've decided to run Annie Power in the World Hurdle. It certainly spices the race up and it's something for everyone to look forward to.
"I can fully understand why Willie has made this decision. He obviously doesn't want to let her run against Quevega in the mares' race and then would she be good enough to beat Hurricane Fly or whatever wins the Champion Hurdle?
"Annie Power is the up-and-coming rising star and she'll be receiving 7lb (from Big Buck's).
"We'll find out whether she can stay three miles and also there is the question about the ground. Whenever I've seen her she's been running on soft ground and by the Thursday of Cheltenham, it could be good, good to soft in places.
"We know Big Buck's likes better ground, we know he stays and he has won the race four times, so we'll just try to run our normal race."
The man best placed to assess the merits of the two horses is Ruby Walsh, who partnered Big Buck's to each of his four Festival triumphs, but will this year be in opposition aboard Annie Power.
"Ruby has ridden Big Buck's in 19 races and won 18, so that is to his advantage and he'll know exactly what will happen during the race," said Stewart.
"They will no doubt be tracking one another, Ruby on Annie Power and Sam (Twiston-Davies) on Big Buck's and then we'll see what happens."
Big Buck's is out to regain his crown having missed last year's Festival through injury and was not disgraced when finishing a close-up third on his return in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January.
Stewart feels if the anticipated improvement is forthcoming, Annie Power will have a lot on her plate to get the better of his pride and joy.
"In previous years we've had horses like Grands Crus, Dynaste and Oscar Whisky taking us on and none of them have been able to beat Big Buck's," he said.
"I'm very pleased Annie Power is taking us on. There is no point having a race where Big Buck's barely needs to get into a gallop.
"Thousands of people will be paying good money to come to Cheltenham and watch the race, Ladbrokes are fabulous sponsors and everyone wants to see a good race.
"The two of them are joint-favourites, I believe, and I think that is probably about right.
"We couldn't be happier with our horse and if Annie Power goes and beats him, then good luck to her, but she will have to improve a lot if Big Buck's runs up to his best.
"Of course, he didn't run up to his best in the Cleeve, but we think there are some good excuses for that, so we'll see what happens on Thursday week.
"I have to say, I have never looked forward to the Festival more than I am at the moment."
Stewart said: "I think it's great they've decided to run Annie Power in the World Hurdle. It certainly spices the race up and it's something for everyone to look forward to.
"I can fully understand why Willie has made this decision. He obviously doesn't want to let her run against Quevega in the mares' race and then would she be good enough to beat Hurricane Fly or whatever wins the Champion Hurdle?
"Annie Power is the up-and-coming rising star and she'll be receiving 7lb (from Big Buck's).
"We'll find out whether she can stay three miles and also there is the question about the ground. Whenever I've seen her she's been running on soft ground and by the Thursday of Cheltenham, it could be good, good to soft in places.
"We know Big Buck's likes better ground, we know he stays and he has won the race four times, so we'll just try to run our normal race."
The man best placed to assess the merits of the two horses is Ruby Walsh, who partnered Big Buck's to each of his four Festival triumphs, but will this year be in opposition aboard Annie Power.
"Ruby has ridden Big Buck's in 19 races and won 18, so that is to his advantage and he'll know exactly what will happen during the race," said Stewart.
"They will no doubt be tracking one another, Ruby on Annie Power and Sam (Twiston-Davies) on Big Buck's and then we'll see what happens."
Big Buck's is out to regain his crown having missed last year's Festival through injury and was not disgraced when finishing a close-up third on his return in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January.
Stewart feels if the anticipated improvement is forthcoming, Annie Power will have a lot on her plate to get the better of his pride and joy.
"In previous years we've had horses like Grands Crus, Dynaste and Oscar Whisky taking us on and none of them have been able to beat Big Buck's," he said.
"I'm very pleased Annie Power is taking us on. There is no point having a race where Big Buck's barely needs to get into a gallop.
"Thousands of people will be paying good money to come to Cheltenham and watch the race, Ladbrokes are fabulous sponsors and everyone wants to see a good race.
"The two of them are joint-favourites, I believe, and I think that is probably about right.
"We couldn't be happier with our horse and if Annie Power goes and beats him, then good luck to her, but she will have to improve a lot if Big Buck's runs up to his best.
"Of course, he didn't run up to his best in the Cleeve, but we think there are some good excuses for that, so we'll see what happens on Thursday week.
"I have to say, I have never looked forward to the Festival more than I am at the moment."
I think Celestial halo is gonna take one for the team.I see him going off fast in order to play to BB strengths and to stretch to the limit any doubts about AP's stamina.
But i reckon AFC beats them all.
But i reckon AFC beats them all.
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mayo
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Annie Power will take her chance in the World Hurdle. I've said it many times that we simply do not know how good this mare is yet as she remains unbeaten in ten starts. We're very happy with where she is at the moment. We let her down after her last run at Doncaster at the end of January and we started to build her up again for Cheltenham - she's in tremendous order right now.
