Weekend Runners 
/ Timeform / 28 November 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Big Buck's and Ruby Walsh were victorious again on Saturday afternoon
"it is difficult to envisage where and when Big Buck's will face a stiff challenge, let alone an unthinkable defeat, especially with Grands Crus out of the picture."
No fewer than six winners for Paul Nicholls since Thursday, including the magnificent Big Buck's cruising to his thirteenth consecutive hurdles victory in the Grade 2 Long Distance at Newbury...
Watergate Bay, a brother to Fistral Beach, got things started on Thursday afternoon by taking a Novices' Hurdle at Taunton. He lacked experience (once raced in points), but shaped as though a step up in trip could bring about improvement (Timeform rated 119p) and could develop into a useful staying prospect over the coming months.
The three day Hennessy Gold Cup Meeting also got underway at Newbury on Thursday.
Sonofvic marked himself as a chaser to follow in finishing a close second behind Grands Crus in the Grade 2 Worcester Novices' Chase, earning himself a Timeform rating of 145p. Sonofvic hit the fence five from home but jumped soundly in the main, and the fact he was able to get so close to Grands Crus on his chasing bow, with the pair pulling so far clear of third, is really encouraging. Sonofvic will have solid claims in the top novice races this season, with the RSA Chase reportedly a long-term target, though the Feltham Novices Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day may be on the agenda in the interim - he's one to follow wherever he lines up next.
That'lldoboy soon went one better for Nicholls, fending off the late challenge of Emma Lavelle's Zarrafakt in the closing stages to land a handicap chase, the pair pulling 23 lengths clear of the third. It was another big improvement from That'lldoboy, who put in a near-faultless round of jumping before taking over on the bridle and finding plenty for pressure. Tougher assignments lie ahead for That'lldoboy, who is now rated 124p, but he's looked a different prospect in blinkers the last twice and could yet have more to offer.
Empire Levant completed a quick-fire Newbury double just over half an hour later as he made a mockery of his BHA mark to win a handicap hurdle in emphatic fashion, pulling nearly 30 lengths clear, and he confirmed that improvement just 48 hours later when going down by six lengths to stablemate Rock on Ruby (who we'll come to later) in the Gerry Feilden back at the Berkshire course.
Ranjaan was well fancied to make a winning hurdling debut for the yard on Friday, and though he could manage only second, ten lengths behind Urbain de Sivola, he travelled well until three out and was not given a hard time by Ruby Walsh once beaten. Ranjaan is an imposing type, will probably stay further than two miles in time and could yet develop into a strong prospect, rated 125p after his hurdling bow.
A fall aboard Sollim (who looked likely to finish runner-up) in the third race meant Ruby Walsh had to stand down for the remainder of Friday's card, and Barry Geraghty and Robert Thornton proceeded to pick up Ruby's spare rides, but neither could manage a placed finish.
The all-clear from the doctor meant Walsh was back in the saddle on Saturday and he partnered Prospect Wells (136p) to an easy win, travelling powerfully in mid-field before taking over on the bridle and readily asserting in the final stages. Prospect Wells had already proved himself in higher company when second in a Grade 2 event earlier this month and his Flat form confirms that he is likely to be a leading prospect for the top novice hurdles throughout the season, with a step back up in class presumably next on the agenda.
The aforementioned Rock on Ruby marked his comeback with a victory just over an hour later to land a trainer-jockey double and a stable 1-2 in the Gerry Feilden Listed Hurdle, as he and Walsh finished six lengths ahead of Harry Derham on Empire Levant. Rock on Ruby seemed to regain the progressive thread that saw him place in three graded races last season and looks as though he has even more to offer. He had very little trouble dropping back in trip to two miles, travelling well off the pace before comfortably asserting his superiority in the final furlong, and it would be little surprise if he were to develop into an outside contender for the Champion Hurdle, though he does have improvement to make on his rating of 158+.
Big Buck's completed a treble for Messrs Nicholls and Walsh in the following race, leading home a stable 1-2 once again and extending his unbeaten run over hurdles to 13, in the process matching Bula's record. Big Buck's was as imperious as ever on Saturday in beating stablemate Five Dream and it is difficult to envisage where and when Big Buck's will face a stiff challenge, let alone an unthinkable defeat, especially with Grands Crus out of the picture.
The Hennessy Gold Cup was a rare disappointment for the team this weekend, with Aiteenthirtythree and Michel le Bon trailing in tenth and eleventh respectably, whilst Neptune Collonges was pulled up.
The first-named probably shaped better than the bare result suggests, racing up with the pace and still in with a chance of placing at the second last, before fading markedly, Walsh not harsh on his mount once the chance had clearly gone. Michel le Bon also raced prominently, jumping with enthusiasm and zest in the early stages of the race before fitness inevitably told, with Noel Fehily equally sympathetic on his horse.
Paul sends a very strong team to Newbury for Hennessy Gold Cup day including the might Big Buck's - get the exclusive on all his runners at the Berkshire track, as well as his two Newcastle horses here...
The early betting gives Paul Nicholls a better chance than most of winning another Hennessy with Aiteen Thirtythree and Michel Le Bon at the top of the market, and Neptune Collonges also in the field. Read what our star columnist thinks of the trio here...
It's day two of Newbury's Hennessy meeting and our star columnist and champion trainer, Paul Nicholls, saddles six horses. Read all about his second day team here...
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