Buck's retired as More Of That rules World Hurdle
More Of That outstayed Annie Power up the famous Cheltenham hill to claim the Ladbrokes World Hurdle with Big Buck’s back in fifth and subsequently retired.
Tony McCoy appeared to have dealt a hammer blow to More Of That’s chances a couple of weeks ago by choosing to ride At Fishers Cross, who eventually finished third, and the winner’s participation was only confirmed at declaration time.
Punters were not deterred, however, and he was sent off the 15-2 third-favourite in the hands of Barry Geraghty, who for the second time this week benefited from McCoy making the wrong choice.
Plenty still held chances at the bottom of the hill, but it was left to the two unbeaten young guns to fight it out, with More Of That, having just the fifth run of his life, powering to glory.
Trainer Paul Nicholls immediately announced the retirement of 11-year-old Big Buck’s, the four-time winner of the race who only returned from injury in January.
Nicholls said: “He’s going to have an honourable retirement, it’s a sad to day but it’s good to end in one piece.”
