WHO D’AIRS WINS
BUVEUR D’AIR towers head and shoulders above the 12 opponents who stand between him a successful title defence.
There was an element of kismet about his victory in last year’s Champion Hurdle – trainer Nicky Henderson, unconvinced by his jumping technique in novice chases, elected to return Buveur D’air to the smaller obstacles.
The revised plan resulted in a four-and-a-half-length supremacy – Henderson’s sixth – and each of four runs since has seen the seven-year-old tighten his grip on the trophy.
Five lengths too good for three-time Champion Hurdle runner-up My Tent Or Yours at Aintree in April, Barry Geraghty’s mount is three from three this season – and how.
Buveur D’air sauntered to success in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in December, brushing The New One aside for the top-level Christmas Hurdle at Kempton 24 days later.
The incumbent warmed up for today with another facile score at Sandown last month and it will be a turn-up if Buveur D’air fails to justify favouritism.
As regards his opponents, 2015 Champion Hurdler Faugheen looks to be on the wane, while his Willie Mullins stablemates Yorkhill and Melon also have points to prove. Of more interest is
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