Donald McCain's got his sights set on Big Buck's

Donald McCain says Whiteoak's World Hurdle credentials will be on the line when she tackles reigning champion Big Buck's and emerging star Diamond Harry in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.

The six-year-old benefited from a step up in trip when landing a mares' race over three miles and half a furlong at Kempton last month. That was her first try beyond 2m5f and now the Cheshire trainer hopes she can provide an answer as to which Cheltenham Festival race she will be geared towards in March.

Whiteoak was fifth to Punjabi over two miles in the Champion Hurdle, having landed the 2m5f David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle there in 2008.

McCain (right) said: "She's definitely going to Ascot and we're trying to find out whether or not she will be good enough for the World Hurdle. If not, we'll think about going for the mares' race again.

"Big Buck's has looked very good but Whiteoak is the best hurdler I've ever trained.

"While I know that isn't saying much, last year was a difficult season and I think we tended to forget how good she was."

Ladbrokes World Hurdle - sponsors odds: 5-4 Big Buck's, 6 Diamond Harry, 10 Mr Thriller, 12 Karabak, 14 Whiteoak, Katchit, 16 Lie Forrit, 20 Fair Along.