BREATH OF FRESH AIR
All the beSt newS fROm One Of jump RAcing’S mAjOR StAbleS DOn’t miSS thiS vitAl punting infORmAtiOn! Buveur leads Hendo double on Trials day
NICKY HENDERSON was the big winner at Sandown yesterday landing Cheltenham trials with Buveur D’Air and Top Notch.
A week ago Buveur D’Air was seen as an exciting novice chaser, having won both starts over fences this season, but then his trainer decided he would target him at the Champion Hurdle.
The Contenders Hurdle proved little more than a penalty kick for the long odds- on shot as he sauntered home under Barry Geraghty, but it served the useful purpose of getting his eye back in over the smaller obstacles.
Third to top- class stablemate Altior in the Supreme Novices’ last year, the g e l di n g appears to have leading Festival claims, with last year’s champion Annie Power out for the season and 2015 winner Faugheen not seen for a year.
The latter remains an uneasy favourite, with Buveur D’Air second in most bookmaker lists at a top-priced 9-2.
“I said to Barry last week that I wanted to put this horse back over hurdles and that was before we knew Faugheen was out of Leopardstown on Sunday,” said Henderson (above).
“He’s done nothing wrong over fences but right now I just feel he’s a sharper jumper of hurdles.
“He’s very quick, slick and has loads of pace to carry him through a race. He hasn’t really proved anything today as he was entitled to win the way he did, but he’s blown a bit out there and can definitely be made fitter. It’s told me what I wanted to know.”
Top Notch still holds a Champion entry but looks certain to go for the JLT Novices’ Chase for which he’s a best- priced 8- 1 behind another Mullins favourite, Yorkhill.
The six- year- old was quick and accurate over his fences in the Scilly Isles where disappointing favourite Clan Des Obeaux was often slow and ponderous, eventually trailing in last of the five runners.
Winning jockey Daryl Jacob said: “He’s not the biggest but makes up for it with his heart and technique. That was a real test for him in difficult ground and he’s passed it with flying colours.”
He n d e r s o n ( left) admitted to being surprised at how well Top Notch had taken to his new career.
“He was fifth in the Champion last year but probably wasn’t going to progress any further over hurdles so we gave him a try at this,” he said.
“He got beat first time but then we found two easy races for him and he’s grown in stature and confidence.
“I never dreamed he’d be as good over fences, but going up to two and a half miles has helped as it gives him more time.
“He’s a real favourite of mine – closer to a pet than a racehorse.”