Quevega remains firm with the Mares’ Hurdle decision
Even if the prior agenda of racing the two brilliant hurdlers, Big Buck’s and Quevega, was executed and implemented, it would have been impossible due to Big Buck’s injury that has forced him to discontinue with the remaining season.
The straight fourth success in the Sportingbet Long Distance Hurdle turned out to be the final race for the Paul Nicholls’ trained. The plans of landing the World Hurdle for a straight fifth time could not be implemented.
Coming to the connections of the eight-year-old French mare, Quevega, the plan remains the same.
Stewart said: "Like Willie has said, I think the only way they would meet is if Big Buck's changed s*x! Ruby (Walsh) obviously rides Big Buck's and Quevega and I just don't think it will happen.
"Quevega is as good a staying mare as I have seen, but I think it's highly unlikely we would go to Punchestown.”
The mare will be targeting her David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle for a fifth time now. Apparently, the reason for not racing the champion mare against Big Buck’s was not due to the different goals that each had to achieve, rather, competing with Big Buck’s would
not have been an easy task.
With the premature end to Big Buck’s 2012-13 campaign, the rumours of Quevega taking part in the World Hurdle have started circulating. Willie Mullins’ stable however has not released any statements at all regarding her participation in the Ladbrokes World
Hurdle.
Energising the betting arena, many book keepers have already entered her as the favourite for the World Hurdle.
"She'll be going for the OLBG and not the World Hurdle," the County Carlow handler told OLBG.
The trainer, Willie Mullins, for now has confirmed her participation in the mares’ challenge. In case the stable does change the decision and plan for the World Hurdle, it will be cowardice as competing without the champion of the race will be almost effortless
and pointless. Shadowing her success with the absence of Big Buck’s will be injustice to the mare and the spectators.
The race will serve as the season opening for the mare as the last that she raced and won was in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle on 26th April, 2012 at Punchestown over three miles.
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