RACING:BIG BUCK'S heads 34 entries for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The phenomenal hurdler, bidding for a fourth consecutive victory in the race, is unbeaten in 14 starts over the smaller obstacles since contesting the Hennessy Gold Cup in November, 2008, and looked as good as ever when sauntering to a comprehensive eight-length success on his latest start in the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on December 17th.

His trainer Paul Nicholls is considering letting Big Buck’s take his chance in the Grade Two Cleeve Hurdle over three miles on Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham on January 28th. If the nine-year-old captured both races, he would equal the record for consecutive wins over jumps in Britain set by three-time Champion Hurdle winner Sir Ken, who recorded 16 straight victories in the 1950s.

Second favourite for the big race behind Big Buck’s is the Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old Oscar Whisky. He has yet to race over three miles but boasts some excellent form over shorter distances.

Eleven Irish-trained entries include eight possible Willie Mullins runners, headed by Thousand Stars and Quevega, Mourad, So Young, Zaidpour and Mikael d’Haguenet, plus the Colm Murphy-trained Voler La Vedette.

Beautiful Sound, a possible contender for the Aintree Grand National, was put down yesterday.

The 10-year-old won at Punchestown and Fairyhouse last term before finishing third in the Byrne Group Plate at Cheltenham.

Trainer Gordon Elliott tweeted: “Heartbreaking decision made today to put down one of our top staying chasers, Beautiful Sound, due to a persistent cancerous growth on his leg that was making life uncomfortable for him.

“Very hard decision but along with his owners we had to do what was best for him. Undoubtedly a horse who never got to fulfil his potential. It never seems to happen to the bad ones.”