Buveur D'Air slams Samcro at Newcastle in Fighting Fifth
Buveur D'Air didn't go off favourite for the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle but he emerged as much the best horse in the race after easily seeing off Samcro.
Jack Kennedy tried to make all on Gordon Elliott's horse, who was sent off the 6/5 favourite, but 11/8 chance Buveur D'Air cruised alongside him with two to jump.
A sketchy jump at the final obstacle couldn't stop Buveur D'Air and he scooted away from Samcro when Barry Geraghty asked him for his effort after the last.
Under just hands and heels riding he pulled right away from the runner-up, an eight-length winning distance not close to emphasising his superiority.
Sky Bet went even-money about Buveur D'Air for the Champion Hurdle.
“Buveur D’Air looked a true champion today and put Samcro very much in his place," said Michael Shinners. "We are now Even money from 9/4 for the Champion Hurdle with Samcro going the other way out to 7/1”.
Trainer Nicky Henderson was a nervous onlooker from Newbury, where he said: "I think it was relief more than anything. After the bloody nose with Might Bite (Betfair Chase) last Saturday, I was prepared for a second one.
"That was an incredible performance. He doesn't make mistakes, then he makes one at the last, but he picked up. There is so much more improvement in him.
"Last year's Fighting Fifth was a penalty kick. They went a proper gallop, which was no surprise as they tried to stretch his fitness. They were testing me really.
"I thought it was very smooth and slick. He looked like a true champion. He is what he is - a two-time Champion Hurdle winner. Some people haven't rated him as a dual Champion Hurdle winner - I think today those are two good horses.
"He wasn't at his best in last year's Champion Hurdle, he didn't go to Aintree or anywhere else after it, it knocked him around. I don't think he was right at the time, and it's great to see him come back and do that."
Assessing future plans, the Seven Barrows trainer said: "I can't see why he won't do Christmas Hurdle, somewhere and you know where in March - the dream is still alive."
👀 Look how the two-time Champion Hurdle winner cruises up alongside Samcro...
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) December 1, 2018
Pure class from Buveur D'Air 👏pic.twitter.com/NxLIeENjVu
Geraghty said: "Samcro set a nice even pace and I thought he would have made it more of a test.
"He's very good - he's a dual Champion Hurdle winner, I only rode him in one of those, but any horse who wins two Champion Hurdles deserves respect and he's winning everywhere he goes. He is top class and a pleasure to ride.
"You'd like to think the wind op made a difference, it was far more of a test today, but he got into a good rhythm so it was great."
🥊 THE FIGHTING FIFTH (2.05 Newcastle) 🏇
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) December 1, 2018
🌟 And the answer is BUVEUR D'AIR as the reigning Champion Hurdler laughs at Samcro in a canter!
Free video replay will appear here shortly...https://t.co/TXMJvew5Ox pic.twitter.com/LMdhgh3A9j
Proud owner JP McManus said: "That was pleasing. I have an awful lot of respect for Samcro, so I was hoping he'd do that. Barry seemed to be happy enough all the way.
"Nicky gave him the wind op in the summer and says that helped him enormously. I didn't back him, I was just happy to see him win.
"Istabraq was a different generation, so I wouldn't like to compare them. Istabraq was very special to me and so is Buveur D'Air.
"He's such an electric jumper, magic over them."
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