Hurdling stars to Fight it out

CONNECTIONS of both Buveur D’Air and Samcro have confirmed their intention to run in the BetVictor Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday.

It had looked as if fast ground would rule the big guns out of the first Grade One hurdle race in Britain this season, but welcome rain last week has cleared the way for a mouthwatering clash. Nicky Henderson’s Buveur D’Air is unbeaten since finishing third in the 2016 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, and has won the last two Champion Hurdles as well as this corresponding race 12 months ago.

‘I’ve spoken to Newcastle this morning, and they have been very helpful in keeping me posted and up to date, and I think they have had an inch and a half of rain. It’s good to soft, soft,’ said Henderson.

Samcro was surprisingly beaten on his seasonal return by Scottish raider Bedrock, whom he will be meeting again.

‘The plan is to go (to Newcastle) as things stand,’ said Eddie O’Leary of Gigginstown House Stud, who own Samcro.

Gigginstown’s Don Poli could return from a 657-day absence in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on Saturday if ground conditions are in his favour. Don Poli has not been seen in action since February of last year.

SINNDAR, who won the Derby, Irish Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe during his stunning three-year-old season in 2000, has died at the age of 21. Bred and raced by the Aga Khan, the John Oxx-trained Sinndar recorded seven wins from eight career starts.