Beware an Irish threat to Buveur’s tilt at treble
BY JOE REILLY BUVEUR D’AIR faces nine high-class rivals as he bids for a hat-trick in tomorrow’s Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The eight-year-old lost his long unbeaten record when edged out by Verdana Blue in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and faces that horse again.
Nicky Henderson loves to win this two-mile showpiece and has a useful third string in the shape of Brain Power who bounced back to form here in December.
But the biggest danger should come from an Irish challenge Gordon Elliott’s Apple’s Jade heads up.
The mare has a massive chance of giving the Meath maestro his first Champion after bolting up in the Irish version at Leopardstown.
Willie Mullins has a much better record in this race and his best shot looks to be Laurina.
Ireland’s other super mare hacked up in the Trull House last year and should be primed after a dominant victory at Punchestown.
Mullins has a potent hand as he also fields last year’s second Melon and an upwardly mobile Sharjah.
The Irish contingent is completed by Espoir DA’ llen who is out to complete a four-timer for skilled handler Gavin Cromwell.
Ben Pauling’s stable star Global Citizen landed the Haydock Trial in emphatic style and should ensure a proper Grade One pace.
Evan Williams’s Welsh raider Silver Streak completes the field and should run his usual honest race after some fine efforts.
Benie Des Dieux is many punters’ idea of a banker and heads 15 runners in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle.
The main threat to Mullins’s odds-on favourite comes from stablemates Limini and Stormy Ireland, with Dan Skelton’s Roksana the top British contender.