Without Big Buck’s running does it really matter?

Question

If Karabak runs then this race then that makes him a useful yard stick. He’s the one who’s got closest to Big Buck’s this season, when he finished three-and-a-half lengths second in the Long Walk Hurdle at Newbury last month. If he wins this wit6hout too many problems they may as well hand the World Hurdle trophy to Paul Nicholls now.