World Hurdle hero Big Buck's locks horns with Diamond Harry in the rescheduled Long Walk Hurdle at Newbury on Tuesday (2.40).

The former is unbeaten in five races in 2009 and is long odds-on to make it six. It hasn't all been plain sailing, though, as he had to work hard to beat course specialist Mighty Man at Aintree, but was much more impressive on his return this season when cruising to victory in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. He was value for far more than the winning margin of seven lengths that day and is "going great at home and raring to go", according to his trainer. There was a slight question mark about him going right-handed around Ascot, so the switch to left-handed Newbury is to his advantage.

He will need to be pretty near his best to win this, though, as Diamond Harry looks a serious threat. After suffering his sole career defeat (from eight starts) when third behind Mikael D'Haguenet in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, the Nick Williams-trained hurdler returned to winning ways when trouncing his rivals in a Listed handicap hurdle at Haydock on his return to action last month, after which his trainer pointed him at the World Hurdle, rather than the RSA Chase. That success came off a mark of 149 and more will be needed here, but such was his superiority that he could easily be up to the task.

It's a mouthwatering clash for which Big Buck's is a best-priced 4/7 with Victor Chandler, who go 3/1 Diamond Harry. Those prices look about right to me, although if I had to choose between the pair it would be Big Buck's every time, especially now the race is at Newbury. If there is any value to be had it lies with KARABAK, who looks a shade over-priced at 12/1 with Blue Square.

Alan King's six-year-old was a star novice last season, winning three races and only finding Mikhael D'Haguenet to good in the Ballymore, in which he had Diamond Harry almost four lengths back in third. Last month on his return, he finished runner-up to Zaynar (who has franked the form since by winning the Relkeel Hurdle and is now clear favourite for the Champion Hurdle) over 2m3f at Ascot, and will appreciate this longer trip of 3m1f. Quite how he's available at 12/1, while Diamond Harry is priced around the 3/1 mark is beyond me and, with eight runners set to go to post, he looks a solid each-way bet.

Of the rest, Lough Derg (20/1 Blue Square) will no doubt run his usual game race from the front, but his overall form leaves him with something to find with the leading trio. A bigger threat looks to be Fair Along (25/1 Paddy Power), who returned to winning ways at Wetherby last time. The mare Whiteoak (22/1 bet365) doesn't quite cut it with the boys at this level, but should still beat rank outsiders Kayf Aramis and Sweetheart.

Recommended Bet:

Karabak 1pt each-way @ 12/1 Blue Square