Walsh wins 5th Cheltenham winner on Big Bucks
Ruby Walsh rode his fifth winner of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday when he took Big Bucks to victory in the World Hurdle.
The 6-1 third favorite stalked the pack throughout the 3-mile race before surging to the front at the last hurdle, when the 6-year-old overcame a heavy landing to stay ahead of Punchestowns and win by about two lengths.
This horse has a huge engine, its just getting it out of him at times, said Walsh, who has 22 career wins at Britains most prestigious hurdles meet. Its a cracking horse this.
The 7-2 second favorite Punchestowns finished second, with 25-1 shot Powerstation in third. Pre-race favorite Kasbah Bliss, last years runner-up with Christophe Pieux on board again, appeared well-placed throughout but could not find a late surge and finished fourth.
On Wednesday, Walsh become the first jockey in 10 years to win three races in a single day at Cheltenham. The 29-year-old Irishman is the most successful current rider at the festival, one ahead of Tony McCoy.
