Big Buck’s Confirmed For Liverpool Hurdle

While many National Hunt observers are anxiously handicapping the ante post market for the upcoming Grand National, it’s easy to forget that a number of exciting contests will be unfolding in the build-up to the biggest race of the year. The Liverpool Hurdle is set to anchor to April 7 card at Aintree and living-legend Big Buck’s headlines the current line-up.

The fixture sets up as a fascinating contest with the up-and-coming staying hurdler Grands Crus set to challenge the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding for the second time inside a month. Grands Crus had a genuine chance of toppling Big Buck’s until the star hurdler managed to find extra in the final 100y and power home in front of a raucous Cheltenham crowd.

Tom Scudamore will retain the mount on Grands Crus and the pair will be looking to build on their performance last time out – connections really couldn’t have asked for more as a slim defeat to the best in the business is hardly something to get down about when your contender is only six years of age.

The biggest issue surrounding Grands Crus is whether connections will opt to run him with firmer going. Recent reports are that the sprinklers have been turned on over the National Course at Aintree and we could see further watering in the days ahead – likely meaning Grands Crus would line up.

A solid selection of premier longer-distance hurdlers are set to contest this one with Oscar Whisky looking very likely to have a crack at this one while Nicky Henderson has co-entered Carole’s Legacy, Sentry Duty and Zaynar.

Coral Cup winner Carlito Brigante is also set to have a crack at a staying distance after winning his race with ease at Cheltenham.