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Connections CommentsBig Bucks"I think he's got a lot of ability and told Andy (Stewart, owner) it might be the wrong thing to go for the Gold Cup this year. In order to go for the World Hurdle he needed to win today, but he's done that well and my intention would be to come back for the Cleeve Hurdle at the end of the month. He was one horse I thought the switch to hurdles would do the world of good to. This plan will give him the chance to mature, as we can always go back chasing at a later date. We'll run him in the Cleeve and let him tell us from there." Paul Nicholls 1st January 2009 "He's always been held in high regard and you can tell that when you walk into the yard as there is Denman, Kauto Star, Master Minded and this horse in the next stable. He gave me a great feel and I knew I had plenty of horse under me. I got there plenty soon enough but he has a big engine and he pulled plenty out." Ruby Walsh 24th January 2009 Blazing Bailey"He's been a grand old servant who rarely runs a bad race. He has been placed in a Triumph and two World Hurdles and heads back to the latter race again. My own view is that it is one of the strongest World Hurdles we've seen for a long time. Kasbah Bliss was very impressive at Haydock on Saturday and both Punchestowns and Big Buck's have done little wrong. He will take his chance but we could only be chasing place prize money. Cheltenham might be his last run over hurdles as I think it's time for a change and we'll jump some fences with him next season." Alan King 17th February 2009 Fair AlongKasbah Bliss"I've been very impressed with Punchestowns and he has been very impressive on soft ground. If we are lucky enough to get some good ground then maybe we can beat him. He is very fresh and well. We had to slow down everything because of the very deep frost we've had here. It has been -13 for a very long time in Chantilly and there has been half-a-foot of snow but we will work on the all-weather course and it is quite satisfactory. Obviously we are not going very fast at the moment. I may have a look at the Cleeve this month and perhaps go for something a little further on in the calendar. He's a year older now. He has won well on the Flat since at Longchamp too and he had never shown that quality on the Flat before. It shows that with age he is improving and he is stronger." Francois Doumen 13th January 2009 Lough Derg"He’s just a freak. He loves racing, he loves life. He’s had a battle today, but in 10 minutes you won’t know he’s had a race. He reminds me of a Kenyan distance runner who wins a marathon, has a drink of water and looks ready to go and do it again." Tom Scudamore 23rd February 2009 Mighty Man"Provided we get a clean run at the target there's no reason why he shouldn't run. It will be a day-by-day job with him and we'll take a view as we go along. He's cantering and that's as far as we've got with him. He hasn't done any full bits of work as yet. He's had stem cell therapy and been given a long rest and relaxation with his owners who've done a very good job getting him back to this stage. He wouldn't have a prep run (before Cheltenham) and I'd like to think he would be a threat to all of them. His obvious target is the World Hurdle, but the main one is Aintree which is very much on the agenda if things go according to plan. He appears to go very well at Aintree and that is the obvious place for him." Henry Daly 15th January 2009 Mobaasher"He goes very well fresh and ran very well at Ascot in the Long Walk and again at Newbury. Cheltenham will suit him, he runs well there, and we've kept him fresh for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. He's one of the outsiders in the race but is the sort of horse who could run into a place. He'll go to Aintree and Punchestown after Cheltenham." Paul Nicholls 19th February 2009 Powerstation"I'd be hoping he'll be in the first four. He loves Cheltenham - he's been second there four times - and if he's second there the next day I'll be happy. If I can get him there and the ground is nice jumping ground, I think he'll run well each-way." Eamonn O'Connell 6th February 2009 Punchestowns"It's a special win. I hate running two like that but I had no option really after Cheltenham was lost. I was very impressed, I think that was a good performance. It was not our intention to run him over three miles this early but our hand was forced really. Mick (Fitzgerald) thought the world of him last year and must take a lot of credit because he nurtured him along the way. We thought about chasing with him but knocked that on the head after his last race and now we know exactly where to go, it's pretty obvious (World Hurdle)." 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