On the trail of Big Buck's: Andy Stewart expects big Bartlett run from Barbados

Owner Andy Stewart believes Barbados Buck's is set to have a major say in next Friday's Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle over the three miles of Cheltenham's New course that an illustrious predecessor made his own.

The Stewart family's red, white and black silks will be associated forever with four-time Stayers' Hurdle hero Big Buck's and their hopes of further festival glory next week lie with his six-year-old 'nephew'.

Barbados Buck's is a best-priced 8-1 third favourite off the back of a hat-trick of wins at the trip and, in addition to upholding family honour, Stewart is hopeful the son of Getaway can secure longtime ally Paul Nicholls a first win in the Grade 1 after near-misses with Najaf and Pride Of Dulcote.

"The only problem is that Paul Nicholls hasn’t ever won 'the Potato Race' and it's been very unlucky for him," said Stewart. "But he thinks this year he might be able to change that.

Andy Stewart at the scene of some of his greatest moments as an owner, on the members' lawn at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Barbados Buck's will have no problem with the three miles at Cheltenham as long as it’s not bottomless. The weather forecast looks not too bad and good or good to soft would be perfect for him."

Stewart is realistic that he may already have used up his share of good fortune in owning the incomparable Big Buck's, who reigned supreme in the Stayers' Hurdle between 2009 and 2012.

But speaking from the Caribbean island after which Barbados Buck's is named, he remains confident of a big performance in a race that has become the key staging post for future pretenders to the Stayers' crown.

"We've had More Buck’s, Young Buck, we’ve had loads from the family," he said. "It's very difficult to have a horse who could be anything like as good as Big Buck's, who won 18 consecutive top-class races. But we really think Barbados Buck's is going to run a big race. He's ever so well at home."

Andy Stewart (left) after Big Buck's landed his fourth World Hurdle at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Edward Whitaker

With 16 winners, the Stewart family have enjoyed their best season numerically since the 2011-2012 campaign and they will also be represented by Ashutor in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual on Wednesday and Thyme White in Friday's McCoy Contractors County Hurdle.

Stewart will be forced to watch from Barbados and is concerned that all but the major yards have suffered while owners have been kept away from the track.

"It's such a shame that we have the greatest National Hunt racing in the world and Boris [Johnson] is not allowing people to go and watch it," said Stewart. "People like Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls are fine but the smaller trainers must be struggling enormously. Some of their owners won't be interested in financing them and it's all concentrated with the big boys now."

Although he won't be enjoying his usual festival rituals, Stewart doesn't intend to miss a second of the action.

He said: "I'll be glued to the television from first thing Tuesday to last thing Friday."

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