RACING: Big Buck's closes in on Sir Ken record (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Barbury Castle's Alan King has three winners on Cheltenham card

10:07am Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Sport By Danny Hall, Sports Editor

BIG BUCK’S lived up to his star billing at Cheltenham on Saturday, on an afternoon when local trainers left with five of the other race prizes.

Big Buck’s made it 15 consecutive wins when landing the Cleeve Hurdle and will return to the course when he attempts a fourth straight win in the Ladbroke World Hurdle at the Festival.

Victory there would see him equal the National Hunt record of 16 wins in a row by former Champion Hurdler Sir Ken in the fifties.

The victory was eventually straightforward but Big Buck’s was not apparently travelling as well as the two-length leader Dynaste turning into the home straight.

Jockey Ruby Walsh dismissed any concerns post-race by saying: “The winning post is at the top of the hill.”

As soon as Big Buck’s joined his rival at the last flight with a great jump, the outcome was in little doubt.

Barbury Castle trainer Alan King had a day to remember with three winners – Grumeti, Bless The Wings and Batonnier.

The trio were well ridden by Swindon-based Wayne Hutchinson in the absence of injured stable jockey Robert Thornton.

Grumeti enhanced his Triumph Hurdle candidature but he needed the help of the stewards to win on Saturday.

After a head-bobbing finish, Grumeti was pipped by Pearl Swan. The Paul Nicholls-trained horse had, however, bumped Grumeti twice on the run-in and, given the narrowness of the victory, the officials decided to reverse the first two placings.

Bless The Wings will head for one of the Festival handicaps and Batonnier for the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

As impressive as any winner on the card was The Giant Bolster from the David Bridgwater yard at Wyck Hill, south of Stow, and this seven-year-old could yet run in the Gold Cup. The Giant Bolster, who was winning on the card for the second year running, has had jumping issues in the past and has been for lessons with well known guru Yogi Breisner.

The Giant Bolster was positively spring-heeled in the closing stages as he raced 17 lengths clear of Poquelin in the hands of jockey Tom Scudamore.

“It was great to see him win and I think Tom was absolutely inspired – he gave him a super ride,” said Bridgwater.

“We will have a look at the racing+ Chase at Kempton now and see how that’s shaping up. Obviously you want to win at the Festival, but we just need to do what's right for the horse.”

Slad trainer Tom George and locally-based jockey Paddy Brennan had a disappointment in the opening race of the programme when the highly-rated Baby Mix finished last, but they won the closing event with Module.