RACING:FIVEFORTHREE THREW his hat into the ring for an increasingly intriguing Ladbrokes World Hurdle with a comeback victory at Punchestown yesterday. For much of the season it appeared Big Buck's would just have to turn up to win the major staying hurdle prize for the third year in succession, but the challengers are suddenly mounting up.

David Pipe’s Grands Crus impressed in Cheltenham’s Cleeve Hurdle and now Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins has a fascinating hand with the talented Mourad set to be joined by an injury-plagued Fiveforthree.

The nine-year-old had been sidelined since striking gold at the 2009 Punchestown Festival 657 days ago, but travelled well throughout the Free Festival Upgrade Offer Ends Today Hurdle in the hands of Paul Townend. Thirteen-year-old Newmill, winner of the 2006 Champion Chase, cut out much of the running, but Fiveforthree (4 to 7 favourite) loomed up menacingly in the straight.

Despite a less-than-fluent leap at the final flight, the grey soon began to stamp his authority and only had to be kept up to his work on the run to the line to score by four lengths. The winning trainer’s son, Patrick Mullins, said: “Dad said that he hopes he’ll come back sound and that he’ll go for the World Hurdle.”