Buveur D’Air is favourite in the betting for the Champion Hurdle on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival and Richard Mann sees no reason to oppose the defending champion.
Richard Mann's Unibet Champion Hurdle tip is Buveur D’Air who stormed to victory in the race last year and with opposition thin on the ground 12 months on, can defend his crown.
Having spent the early part of his career in shadows of Altior, a fellow Seven Barrows-inmate who blew Buveur D’Air and co away in a tremendously strong renewal of the 2016 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the latter has gone on to touch greatness himself and enjoyed his day in the sun when winning the Champion Hurdle last March.
Buveur D’Air was a late switch to the ‘big one’ having gone unbeaten in a promising novice chase career but as ever, his electric jumping put his rivals to the sword and he drew clear of My Tent Or Yours to record a deeply impressive success.
Foot perfect in three outings so far this season, he has been primed for a repeat bid by trainer Nicky Henderson and the 4/7 on offer about his chance is probably fair.
2015 hero Faugheen adds a fascinating dimension to the race following his return from injury but his two latest defeats leave him with plenty of questions to answer and it would be a remarkable training feet were Willie Mullins to get him back to his best.
Champion Hurdle entries racecard and form
My Tent Or Yours, runner-up last year and in 2014 and 2016, landed the International Hurdle on his sole start of this season and should run another big race with his preparation having gone so smoothly.
With Melon continuing to prove frustrating, Apple’s Jade bound for the Mares’ Hurdle and Elgin still needing to be supplemented, the past appears clear for Nicky Henderson to dominate the race again and in Buveur D’Air, he has a worthy favourite.
