Trainer Paul Nicholls has expressed his satisfaction as the eagerly-anticipated return of Big Buck's moves a step closer following a schooling session in the hands of his new jockey Sam Twiston-Davies.

Now an 11-year-old, Big Buck's is due to reappear in Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

With Ruby Walsh leaving his role as stable jockey to Nicholls, Big Buck's was always going to have a new partner on his return from injury and the trainer and owner Andy Stewart plumped for Twiston-Davies last week.

Twiston-Davies rode the four-time World Hurdle winner over a few obstacles at Nicholls' complex ahead of his first race for 14 months.

"It all went well, no problems at all," Nicholls said.

"It was just a routine school, we would do it at the start of the week before any run of his life.

"He jumped well and did what we expected.

"Sam was pleased with him."

Twiston-Davies reiterated that he views himself as being in a "very lucky position".

"He felt in great order ... it all went very smoothly. He jumped brilliantly," he told Betfred TV.

"I took him for a canter afterwards and he felt great.

"It's effortless for him, he finds it all very easy, going round the school, going up the gallop, it's all just in his stride.

"He's never under any pressure because he just has that engine. He's an unbelievable horse and he's very exciting and I'm in a very lucky position.