• Horse Racing

Big Bucks beaten on Cheltenham return

ESPN staff
January 25, 2014
Big Bucks had been ridden 16 times in his last unbeaten 18 races by Ruby Walsh © PA Photos
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Big Bucks was beaten on his comeback to the racetrack, finishing third in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday following a 13-month injury lay-off.

Knockara Beau came home first at 66/1 with At Fisher's Cross - ridden by AP McCoy - second.

Paul Nicholls' stable star had not raced since December 2012 and had been out of action with a tendon injury.

Sam Twiston-Davies replaced Ruby Walsh in the saddle for his first public race on Big Bucks; Walsh has flown back to Ireland to ride for Willie Mullins.

Walsh had saddled the four-time Champion hurdle winner for 16 of his last 18 races, in which Big Bucks had been unbeaten, while McCoy had also ridden twice.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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