HENDERSON WILL D’AIR TO DREAM

BUVEUR D’AIR could be accompanied by three stablemates when he defends his Unibet Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham on March 13.

The reigning titleholder’s trainer Nicky Henderson said: “We could run Buveur D’Air, My Tent Or Yours, Charli Parcs and Verdana Blue.

The reigning titleholder is the 4-9 hotpot to give Henderson (above) a seventh success in the Tuesday feature after a flawless campaign this winter.

“His hurdling is frightening — he gives himself an inch and no more,” added the trainer.

“He’s got a way to go to get to the likes of [Henderson’s three-time Champion Hurdler] See You Then, but he’s still improving.”

NIGEL HAWKE yesterday paid tribute to “a grafter” after the death at 81 of Grand Nationalwinning trainer David Barons.

Hawke, who rode Barons’ Seagram to victory at Aintree in 1991, said: “He bought good horses from New Zealand and he’d never ask you to do anything that he wouldn’t do himself. He was a grafter.”