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Thousand Stars
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At the time of writing, he is no bigger than around the 8-13 mark to win the race formerly known as the Stayers’ Hurdle for an unprecedented fourth time, and his odds will doubtless contract even further if he wins the Champion Hurdle at last season’s meeting.

Willie Mullins has a number of entries in the World Hurdle at this stage but Thousand Stars’ credentials look the strongest of those that Ireland’s leading trainer could field on March 13. Punters should not be perturbed if Thousand Stars fails to figure if lining up for the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 29. Indeed, the Wikis highlight that the gelding has been beaten on the last four occasions that he has raced over 2m on a flat track. He needs a stiffer test nowadays.

Oscar Whisky is the one that many punters will look to as an alternative to Big Bucks, but he has to prove he stays 3m, a remark which also applies to one of Thousand Stars’ stablemates that have been entered for the race, So Young.

Recommendation: Thousand Stars in the World Hurdle Betting W/O Big Bucks @ 4.80 (Betfair)