Big Buck's secured back-to-back wins in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle in the style of a very good horse at Cheltenham on Thursday in the hands of Ruby Walsh.
In what has been a bad week so far for so-called 'bankers' Big Buck's, the odds-on favourite, never hit a flat spot throughout the three mile Grade One contest and approaching the last Walsh had plenty of horse underneath him as he looked around for prospective dangers.
In truth there were none, though Time For Rupert ran an absolute blinder to for William Kennedy finish a game second three-and-a-quarter lengths off the very impressive winner at odds of 16-1.
Eamonn O'Connell's Powerstation, sent off at 33-1, was back in third, the same position he filled 12 months ago.
"He's a special horse," Walsh said.
"He's absolutely bolted in. "He's a horse that doesn't want to be in front too long. I knew the ones I fancied, like Karabak, would follow me though.
"He's got a terrific engine and that was a good round of jumping, he jumped better today than he ever has done."
Winning trainer Paul Nicholls added: "He's a hugely talented horse. It's unbelievable. I worked the horses on Saturday morning - Poquelin, Master Minded, Kauto Star, the lot. They all worked well but he worked like a hairy goat.
"That's just him and I lost confidence a bit and I was sweating beforehand.
"He never hit a flat spot today. We were keen to get him fresh and you have to get into his head a bit more than anything. He's very good."
Paul Webber, trainer of the runner-up, said: "Absolutely no excuses - he's run a cracking race and it's a thrill to get that close to Big Buck's."