Big Buck's cost big bucks. On Thursday he clawed £113,308 back by winning the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
It transpires the Cleeve Hurdle was the key trial after all. Punchestowns was able to close the gap on his conqueror that day - but not totally.
It looked like he would as Barry Geraghty sauntered to the front two out. Then he looked over his shoulder.
What he was expecting to see was Christophe Pieux sat in his slipstream aboard Kasbah Bliss. He wasn't there.
The favourite was in contention but the arms were rowing along, the turn of foot from Haydock missing. The crown wasn't heading to France.
It wasn't going to Lambourn either. For Ruby Walsh was working Big Buck's forward.
Paul Nicholls says no-one knows how much this horse has left at the end of the race for all he does is prick his ears and pull up in front. We now know the engine has overdrive.
For having moved alongside Punchestowns, Big Buck's made a hash of the last.
It wasn't a terrible error but enough to lose momentum and lose the lead.
Geraghty had a second chance, Punchestowns headed for home, but Walsh is not known for panicking.
He gathered Big Buck's and halfway up the hill was in front again for the second and decisive time.
Punchestowns gave his all but was beaten. A gallant second, 17 lengths clear of the third, but second nonetheless.
The Ladbrokes World Hurdle is now established as the feature race on the third day. In 2009 it lived up its status.
The Ryanair Chase also offered an exciting finish with Imperial Commander fending off Schindlers Hunt to confirm the resurgence of the Nigel Twiston-Davies team.
Much of the drama centred around favourite Voy Por Ustedes. Ladbrokes had laid a £100,000 bet at 11/10 in the morning
That was staying in their satchels from the moment he walked through the fourth last.
The groan from the stands was audible. Robert Thornton galvanised him for a renewed effort but the dream of a win in a third different Festival race was over.
The dream for Big Buck's was always the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup - but that can wait. For right now he is on top of the hurdling World.
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