BIG BUCKS PRINT by Denise Finney
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Big Bucks and Ruby Walsh by Denise Finney Image size: 18" x 14" Limited Edition of only 500 prints worldwide Each print is individually checked, numbered and signed by Trainer Paul Nicholls and the artist. This Limited Edition Print has been printed with lightfast inks on acid-free, high grade board from environmentally conscious paper suppliers. Print only price: £120.00 Framed price: £175.00 Big Buck's (FR) Big Buck's (foaled 16 April 2003) is a National Hunt racehorse trained in Britain by Paul Nicholls and is owned by Andy Stewart and specialises in racing over hurdles. At the 2012 Cheltenham Festival Big Buck's made history by winning 4 consecutive World Hurdles. He also confirmed his status as the greatest staying hurdler in history. Big Buck's won the Mar-key Group Beginners' Chase beating the Queen's horse Barbers Shop. He then ran in the Bathwick Tyres Andover Novices' Chase and was just beaten by Moon Over Miami. 5 Year Old Season He started the season with a win in the Mc Seafoods Novices' Chase ridden by Ruby Walsh winning by 2 lengths. He went on to come in 3rd in the Kingmaker Novices' Chase and then went to the Cheltenham Festival for the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase where he finished 7th behind Finger OnThe Pulse. After the Festival he went to the Aintree to win the Mildmay Novices' Chase by 2¼ lengths, beating Battlecry (Horse). While Ruby Walsh was injured Sam Thomas rode him in the Hennessy Gold Cup, where Big Buck's blundered and unseated Thomas. 6 Year Old Season He ran his first race this season in 2009 at Cheltenham where he finished first, beating Don't Push It. He went on to win the Cleeve Hurdle, beating the odds-on favourite Punchestowns by four lengths. This was his prep race for the World Hurdle. On 12 March 2009 was the World Hurdle where Kasbah Bliss was the odds on favourite to win and Punchestowns the 100-30 second favourite. Big Buck's and Punchestowns both jumped the last hurdle together, but Big Bucks made a mistake.[citation needed] It didn't take anything out of him and he won by 1¾ lengths, with Powerstation third and Kasbah Bliss a well beaten fourth. Big Buck's went to Aintree for the Liverpool Hurdle but not many horses could complete in both the Cheltenham and Aintree double. Despite looking in trouble, he went on to beat Mighty Man by 3¼ lengths, who won this race in 2006 & 2007 2010–2011 Season In the 2010–2011 season Big Buck's was once again aimed at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. In every race prior to the World Hurdle Big Buck's destroyed all opponents not even coming off the bridle once. When it came to the big event itself, it was billed a straight head to head between Big Buck's the reigning and unbeaten champion and the fast progressing Grands Crus. The slow pace being set by Cross Kennon never suited Big Buck's, nevertheless, they both travelled well throughout the race. Ruby Walsh kicked Big Buck's into the lead two out and threw down the gauntlet. Grands Crus sat stalking Big Buck's to the last and was travelling the better. He went alongside the Champion jumping it well, however, Big Buck's, who is known to be very idle in front, caught sight of Grands Crus and quickly accelerated away to win a third consecutive World Hurdle by 1½ lengths, confirming his status as one of the greatest of all time in the staying hurdle division. 2011–2012 Season Big Buck's started off the 2011/12 season by winning the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury by 5 lengths without ever coming off the bridle. In December the great horse ran at Ascot in the Long Walk hurdle and despite looking like he was in trouble at one stage when chasing the front running Dynaste, he was quickly picked up by Ruby Walsh and swept past him for another easy 8 length win. Next up Big Buck's ran at Cheltenham in January 2012 in the Cleeve Hurdle when his trainer Paul Nicholls and owner Andy Stewart decided it would be good to give the champion staying hurdler one final run before trying to win an unprecedented 4th win in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Big Buck's swept past Dynaste under Ruby Walsh's urgings for a comfortable 7 lengths success. This set up Big Buck's for a mouth watering clash with Nicky Henderson's star hurdler Oscar Whiskey, and the popular Irish grey Thousand Stars at the Cheltenham Festival. Although his main market rivals didn't fire, Willie Mullins' mare Voler La Vedette seemed to have him in trouble jumping the last. Despite this, Big Buck's won and became the first horse to win 4 successive staying hurdle titles at Cheltenham. He a stable mate of the great chasers Kauto Star and Denman. Big Buck's has now won £1,218,597 in prize money.
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