Paul Nicholls’ stable jockey Ruby Walsh has admitted he fully expects Big Buck's to make a winning reappearance in Saturday's sportingbet.com Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.

The sensational winner of the 2009 Ladbrokes World Hurdle last season, Nicholls’ six-year-old is currently the leading staying hurdler in training and he returns to the track bidding to cement his place at the top of the pile.

With the likes of Diamond Harry impressing early in the season, Walsh has admitted he is out to impress at the weekend.

"He has an eight pound penalty in this race on Saturday and it's his first run of the year but his form over hurdles is outstanding. He's four from four for us and kept on improving last year," Walsh told explained.

"He's a horse with a huge engine, he stays very well and loves going left-handed. You'd be hoping he'd be good enough to beat these horse on Saturday even thought it's his first run and he'll improve for it.

"He is a very, very good horse."

Big Buck's is 6/4 with Sky Bet to retain his World Hurdle crown in March – click here to head to the market.