BET ON BUVEUR FOR A TREBLE

Apple’s JAde has had a fantastic season and laurina has the potential to be much better than anything we have previously seen from her, but the bet for me in the Champion Hurdle has to be BUVEUR D’AIR.

He lost favouritism at the weekend for the first time since he landed this race for a second time a year ago — and that is not justified.

Buveur d’Air has been beaten this season but his overall record is good and he comes into the race off a similar preparation to 12 months ago. His trainer Nicky Henderson (right) also believes he was not 100 per cent and incubating a bug when he won last year. Quite simply, he has the best form in the race.

laurina was very impressive when she won the Mares Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s meeting but her two races this season have not told us much. Her price is based more on reputation than form. BENIE DES DIEUX defends her title in the OlBG Mares’ Hurdle and looks one of the week’s more sure- fire winners. BIG RIVER, trained by my partner lucinda Russell, has been moving really well in and is capable of hitting the frame in the Ultima Handicap Chase.