CHELTENHAM:Big Buck's became an unlikely contender for the World Hurdle at the Festival when scoring on his debut over timber for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh at Cheltenham. World Hurdle sponsors Ladbrokes introduced the six-year-old at 14-1 for their race after he impressed in outstaying Don't Push It by a length and three-quarters in the Unicoin Homes Handicap Hurdle.
The pair engaged in an exciting tussle from the bottom of the hill, but Walsh and Big Buck's (9-2) were always going the better.
The success endorsed Nicholls's recommendation to owner Andy Stewart that, after his last-fence exit in the Hennessy, Big Buck's should try his hand at hurdling.
Nicholls explained: "I think he's got a lot of ability and told Andy it might be the wrong thing to go for the Gold Cup this year.
"In order to go for the Stayers' (World Hurdle) he needed to win today, but he's done that well and my intention would be to come back for the Cleeve Hurdle at the end of the month.
"He was one horse I thought the switch to hurdles would do the world of good to."
The champion trainer believes his winner will improve for a spell away from chasing and added: "This plan will give him the chance to mature, as we can always go back chasing at a later date. We'll run him in the Cleeve and let him tell us from there."
The Cleeve could also be on the agenda of the super-game Lough Derg after his typically battling display under Tom Scudamore in the Steel Plate And Sections Hurdle.
Trainer David Pipe will consider that race for the 7-1 winner, who pulled this out of the fire with a storming rally up the stands rail that took him a neck and a length and three-quarters past No Refuge and Franchoek.
Pipe, who admitted a sense of relief at landing a decent prize following a quiet spell, observed: "We've had this horse from the very beginning and tomorrow morning he'll be as fresh as a daisy.
"He's an amazing horse, as you've seen for yourselves. He's not the most fluent of movers and wouldn't win a beauty contest, but he has a big heart and is incredibly gutsy. He has lots of hard races but keeps coming back for more."
Pipe will consider the Cleeve as well as a handicap over two miles and three furlongs at Ascot that he won last season.
Venetia Williams is always at her most dangerous in December and January and confirmed that statistic when saddling Stan to run right away with the skybet.com Handicap Chase under Aidan Coleman.
Owner Paul Beck did not make it to the track but Williams said: "I expect Paul will have been jumping up and down in front of a television somewhere."
Williams will bring her 14-1 scorer back at the Festival and went on: "I think he would get three miles round here after scoring like that over two miles and five. It gives us more options for March."
Calgary Bay was purchased, like Best Mate, by Tom Costello. His clear-cut triumph over Kicks For Free in the Dipper Novices' Chase was therefore afforded a greater significance and listening to Henrietta Knight afterwards, the towering winner could be the one to put her back in the big time.
night said of Tony McCoy's mount, who returned at 11-4: "He's 17.2 hands and the tallest I've ever trained. I'll probably run him in the Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown, but as a close relative of Grey Abbey he should have no trouble getting three miles."
William Hill cut the winner to 14 from 25 for the Arkle, while introducing him at 16-1 for the RSA Chase, for which Stan James also go 16s.
Keith Reveley celebrated a first Cheltenham winner when 13-2 chance Rambling Minster, ably handled by his son James, collared Alexanderthegreat and Character Building up the final hill of the Cheltenham Annual Pony Club Raceday Handicap Chase.
The Saltburn trainer enthused: "I don't think he'd be out of place in the William Hill Chase here in March. He'd been unlucky a couple of times previously at Cheltenham and obviously operates round the course."
Alan King kicked-off Cheltenham's year by bagging The Club 16-24 "Help For Heroes" Ball 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle with 16-1 chance Awesome George.
Charlie Huxley's mount kicked away when You're The Top came down at the top of the hill to score by three and a half lengths and a neck from Ring Bo Ree and Max Bygraves.
Hughie Morrison looks to have a smart prospect on his hands in Cill Rialaig, who stylishly put the Junior Bumper to bed under Richard Johnson to remain unbeaten at odds of 9-2.