D’AIR FORCE
Henderson in seventh heaven
BUVEUR D’AIR landed odds of 4-6 to rack up back-to-back Champion Hurdle triumphs — but he left his backers breathless.
The title-holder came to Cheltenham rated one of the bankers after a flawless campaign of three wins.
The Nicky Henderson seven-year-old lived up to his billing - but not without giving his supporters a fright.
Straightening for home, Paul Townend on Melon was full of confidence, and Buveur D’Air had to answer Barry Geraghty’s every last call to prevail by a neck – and give Henderson and owner JP McManus seven victories apiece in the Tuesday feature.
“Buveur D’Air won it the hard way,” admitted Geraghty. “There was nowhere to hide. The best horse was going to win and thankfully I was on the best horse.
“The runner-up put it up – I thought he was going to beat me – but my fella is battle-hardened and tough as nails.
“He’s a top-class horse and deserves the recognition.” Henderson had expressed concerns that effortless scores at Newcastle, Kempton and Sandown had left Buveur D’Air short of an edge for the big day.
“We were talking about him not having any really hard races this year, but today was one,” said the master of Seven Barrows (below), the most successful trainer in Festival history with 59 successes. “It was a proper race. Buveur D’Air just put his head down and battled.” Henderson, responsible for the ‘Holy Trinity’ – Buveur D’Air, Champion Chase hotpot Altior and Gold Cup favourite Might Bite – at this year’s fixture, added: “There is always pressure when you are trying to win these big races, so it’s a big relief and gives us confidence going into the week.”
Willie Mullins saluted Melon’s “terrific performance” but revealed 2015 Champion Hurdler Faugheen, who returned in sixth, will now step up in distance.
“He just wants a longer trip these days,” said Ireland’s champion trainer.