Big Buck's clinches fab four at Cheltenham

Big Buck's was the toast of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday after powering to a record fourth victory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. The classy 5/6 favourite saw off a strong challenge from Voler La Vedette to underscore his reputation as one of the all-time greats of racing with a 16th consecutive victory. "He's an amazing horse," said jockey Ruby Walsh. "I guess with the way some of ours were running, you were starting to doubt, but you'd be foolish to doubt this fella -- he's just a great horse, thank God I have him." Big Buck's came home by one-and-three-quarter lengths from 20/1 outsider Voler la Vedette with another 20/1 shot Smad Place in third. Trainer Paul Nicholls paid tribute to the expert performance of jockey Walsh. "We needed to ride him like that today as we've thought for a long time that to get the best out of him we need to make it a test," he said. "He had to fight today but he just keeps galloping, he's wonderful. "He's an awesome horse, the tactics were executed to perfection and it was a great ride from Ruby." The third day of the festival got under way with a victory for Sir Des Champs in the Jewson Novices Chase over two miles and four furlongs. Sir Des Champs (3/1) took line honours by three lengths from Champion Court (8/1) and For Non Stop (8/1). "We've been hitting the crossbar all week and it is nice to put one in the back of the net," delighted Sir Des Champs owner Michael O'Leary said following the horse's third Cheltenham victory. In the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle over three miles, Cape Tribulation (14/1) upset the field to finish ahead of Catch Me (14/1) and Cantlow (33/1). The win ended jockey Denis O'Regan's 66-race losing streak at Cheltenham. "It means a lot to have a winner here," O'Regan said. "It is very tough as a freelancer, so it is a great feeling to have a winner. Cape Tribulation is a lovely horse." The Ryanair Chase over two miles and five furlongs went to favourite Riverside Theatre ahead of Albertas Run and Medermit. Meanwhile jockey Tom Scudamore scored an emotional victory in the Byrne Group Plate Handicap Chase on Salut Flo, the 9/2 favourite. Scudamore's mount led from start to finish to cap a fine win for the jockey whose Grand National-winning father Michael was taken ill this week. "It's been a hard week for all my family, but it's just wonderful to win. I'm so happy," Scudamore said.