Nicholls pays tribute as Big Buck's dies aged 23

Big Buck’s, one of the greatest staying hurdlers of all time, has died at the age of 23.

LEGENDARY stayer Big Buck's, who won four World Hurdle's at the Cheltenham Festival, has died aged 23. His trainer Paul Nicholls led the tributes to the great horse, saying: "He was as good as any horse I've ever trained." Having struggled over fences, Nicholls switched him back to hurdles after a fall in the Hennessy.

Bryan Hodgson was described as 'absolutely amazing' and 'full of mischief' by his daughter Julie