Cheltenham Festival – Buveur d’Air makes surprise switch to Champion Hurdle for Nicky Henderson
Supreme Novices' third had been sent over fences but trainer fancies his chances in the Festival big 'un next month
NICKY HENDERSON is planning an Air raid on the Champion Hurdle.
In a surprise switch Henderson plans to run Buveur d’Air in the Cheltenham Festival showpiece on March 14.
And bookies have slashed his odds in to as short as 5-1 behind shaky favourite Faugheen.
Buveur d’Air, third to stablemate Altior in last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, rounded off last season by beating Petit Mouchoir in the Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.
He switched to chases this term and impressed with two wins from two starts over the bigger obstacles. He had been antepost second favourite for the JLT Novices’ Chase at the Festival.
But Henderson fancies his chances in what looks an open Champion Hurdle, with 2015 winner Faugheen still yet to make his reappearance this season.
Henderson revealed the six-year-old would miss an intended run in the Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown on Saturday.
He said: “Barry Geraghty came and schooled him this morning and he jumped beautifully.
“He is a very good hurdler and has close form with Petit Mouchoir so it made sense to go back over timber. The Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso in two weeks’ time is where he will next run.”
Buveur d’Air was bought by mega-owner JP McManus in the summer. The owner also has 4-1 Champion Hurdle second favourite Yanworth, who runs in the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown this weekend.