888Sport Contenders Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 8.3s

Buveur D'Air³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 172| BF| CD

1/8

Current Champion Hurdler, winning run came to a halt when done for a bit of speed by stablemate Verdana Blue at Kempton over Christmas but ought to get back on track at a defence of his title with victory here. Faces a much simpler task this time.

Form: 1111-12

Vision Des Flos^t⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 150| DWS

10/1

Useful hurdler, only won one of his ten starts to date but often highly tried, as is the case again here. Decent effort in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham last time but well behind Buveur D'Air in the Fighting Fifth previously.

Form: 22-U235

De Dollar Man⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: L P Aspell| T: Evan Williams| OR: 137| D

50/1

Better known as a chaser these days, reverting to hurdles after a couple of middling efforts over fences (never going with any zest at Ascot last time). Ground fine but trip on the short side, and likely to find one or two of these too quick for him

Form: 4124-4P

Rayvin Black^p⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Garner| T: O Sherwood| OR: 133| CD

20/1

Regular in these small field condition events, gives his all from the front every time and although likely to come up short in the end, slow ground will help his cause and he might sneak some prize money again.

Form: 1315-34

Roksana²⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 142

16/1

Improved mare last season, rounded off by finishing an excellent second to Santini in the Grade 1 Sefton Hurdle at Aintree and that form makes her a player in the Mares at Cheltenham. However, likely to need this run, and trip on the short side.

Form: 4/31112-

Forecasts

Buveur D'Air (1/8), Vision Des Flos (10/1), Roksana (16/1), Rayvin Black (20/1), De Dollar Man (50/1)

BUVEUR D'AIR's defeat in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton showed that he's not bombproof these days, but he's nothing of the calibre of Verdana Blue to worry about here and he can get back on the winning track before he goes back to defend his Champion Hurdle crown. With Roksana likely to need this and De Dollar Man having a confidence booster, it may be left to former winner of this Rayvin Black to chase him home. Vision Des Flos may now do better after a wind operation and on the figures ought to be second, but he does have a little to prove.