Friday, April 8, 2011

Sports World

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Nicholls stars on duty at Aintree on Thursday Posted: 08 Apr 2011 01:36 AM PDT Denman and Big Buck's, two of the most popular horses in training and both handled by champion trainer Paul Nicholls, will both be in action on Thursday the opening day of the three-day Aintree Festival, writes Elliot Slater. The Aintree crowd are in for a treat as Big Buck's will get proceedings underway when bidding to land the Grade 1 BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle for the third time in as many years, having only three weeks ago completed a hat-trick of Ladbrokes World Hurdles when getting the better of a terrific dual with the up-and-coming Grand Crus. The David Pipe-trained runner will be in opposition once again meaning that Big Buck's faces possibly his sternest task yet to land the prestigious staying contest in which last year he ambled to an easy victory from the outsider Souffleur. Those looking at betting online should remember this. Ruby Walsh will of course be in the saddle on board the Andy Stewart-owned champion stayer, and will also be aboard the mighty Denman for the first time in a couple of years when the recent Totesport Cheltenham gold Cup runner-up bids to land the Grade 1 Totesport Bowl on what could be a significant day for Nicholls in the race with Nicky Henderson for the jumps trainers' championship. Denman once again gave it his all in finishing second in the Gold Cup for the third year running, holding every chance at the final fence but just unable to quicken with Henderson's Long Run, the new kid on the block. Long Run will not be at Aintree and Denman will face a maximum of five rivals in the three-mile-one-furlong contest, a race he should win with something to spare if he runs to his best. Some people question though just how much the tough race at Cheltenham might have affected the Paul Barber-owned 11-year-old, but should he win there is unlikely to be a bigger roar at the whole fixture - even for the winner of Saturday's John Smith's Grand National.

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