BIG BUCK’S claimed a record-breaking fourth successive Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Also equalling the winning streak of 16 straight victories over jumps, set by Sir Ken nearly 60 years ago, Paul Nicholls’ brilliant stayer (5-6 fav) broke the heart of Voler La Vedette in powering to a length-and-three-quarter win under Ruby Walsh.

The relieved trainer, who has suffered a string of reverses during the Festival despite Rock On Ruby’s win in the Stan James Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, said: “He saved us and we needed that. Stupid little things have gone wrong and the cards just haven’t fallen right for us. For me winning (yesterday) means more than anything.

“This was our number one target and the one I wanted this week because he is so special.”

Owner Andy Stewart said the nine-year-old will now go to Aintree in a bid to take Sir Ken’s record, set between 1951 and 1953, outright.

A remarkable festival for trainer Nicky Henderson continued when Riverside Theatre (7-2 fav) won a thrilling Ryanair Chase.

The eight-year-old, owned by a partnership led by actor Jimmy Nesbitt, edged out reigning champion Albertas Run by half a length.

Scoring his sixth winner at the meeting, Henderson paid tribute to jockey Barry Geraghty saying: “Riverside Theatre never got into his rhythm and was never jumping but that was one of the greatest rides I’ve ever seen.

“The horse is as tough as they get. He will try for you.”

Nesbitt added: “It’s just extraordinary. Nothing really prepared me for that, I’m rarely lost for words but I’m very emotional now.”

Kalahari King, trained by Ferdy Murphy at West Witton, finished ninth.

Murphy’s Divers fared a little better in the Byrne Group Plate, coming home in fourth, but was no match for the favourite Salut Flo (9-2), while The Hollinwell made little impact in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Chase, which was won by Sunnyhillboy (13-2 fav). Sir des Champs (3-1) was a classy winner of the opening Jewson Novices’ Chase as Peddlers Cross flopped.