Big Buck's created history by winning his third straight Ladbrokes World Hurdle under Ruby Walsh.

In what was by far the biggest battle he has faced, Walsh decided to keep his mount close to the pace in a change in tactics to previous years.

Tom Scudamore played the waiting game on his big market rival Grands Crus and Big Buck's (10-11 favourite) jumped the last with a one-length advantage.

The gap narrowed halfway up the running, but Grands Crus began to flatten out inside the final 100 yards as the Paul Nicholls-trained stayer retained his crown by a length and three-quarters.

Big Buck's becomes the first horse ever to win the race for a third consecutive year. Tweet