2.30 —UNIBET CHRISTMAS HURDLE (GRADE 1) (1) £130,000 added (£74,035) 2m (5)

BUVEUR D’AIR enjoys a 20lb advantage over his four rivals on official figures as he continues his build up to try and win a third Champion Hurdle. Stablemate Verdana Blue and If The Caps Fits, a game winner at Ascot last time, are smart horses in their own right and would arguably be vying for favouritism without the presence of Buveur D’Air, who simply toyed with Samcro when routing his field in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on his comeback. The selection should enjoy a good tow into the race thanks to front-running Global Citizen and it will be a surprise if he doesn’t extend his trainer’s fantastic record in this race by handing him a sixth win from the last nine renewals.

BEST BET: BUVEUR D’AIR