Time for outsider Rupert to have a big day

Paul Webber believes outsider Time For Rupert is set to run a big race in the World Hurdle but insists last year's winner Big Buck's will have too much class for his rivals in the renewal at Cheltenham in seven days.

The Banbury trainer's stable star finished second behind Tidal Bay in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham last time and is a best-priced 20-1 with Paddy Power for the Grade One feature.

Webber said: "Time For Rupert is in wonderful form. He split an Arkle winner [Tidal Bay] and a Champion Hurdle winner [Katchit] last time and I couldn't be any happier with him. He's run really well on good ground before and hopefully the drying conditions will be in his favour.

"I think he'll run a big race in the World Hurdle. He has a solid each-way chance but he has 14lbs to find with Big Buck's and while I think we might be able to find seven or eight of them, it will be up to Big Buck's to hand us the rest.

"I think Big Buck's is as big a certainty as any equine can be with a jockey on his back - and it doesn't help that Ruby Walsh is not just any old jockey."

Meanwhile, Alfie Sherrin has hardened to 4-1 favourite with Paddy Power for next Thursday's Pertemps Final.

The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old has had just four career starts and won a handicap hurdle easily at Newbury last month.

Joint owner Harry Findlay said: "So many judges think Alfie Sherrin is a machine and I think he will win if he turns up on the day."