DUAL Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D’Air has been confirmed for a crack at a Fighting Fifth Hurdle hat-trick.
Nicky Henderson’s star will face a maximum of six rivals in the Grade 1 contest.
Last seen winning the Puchestown Champion Hurdle emphatically, Buveur D’Air will again kick-start his campaign at Newcastle on Saturday.
And unlike last year, the star gelding won’t have Samcroto worry about this time.
Instead, Evan Williams’ Silver Streak looks set to be his biggest danger, having run riot at Kempton last time out in the Matchbook VIP Hurdle.
Williams said: “Silver Streak is grand. He really enjoyed himself at Kempton and came out of the race fine.
“It was a lovely race to start him off in and, given how tough some of his assignments were last season, it was very nice to go and get his head in front.
“This weekend is going to be another tough assignment. I think anyone who thinks Buveur D’Air is not the horse he was needs their head checked.
“With Silver Streak, I never thought we had a horse who would be competing in G1 hurdles and there is no point pretending that I did.
“We are very grateful to be taking part in a race like this against a horse like Buveur D’Air, who for me has never had the recognition he deserves. He is a dual Champion Hurdle winner and it is a joy to be competing against a horse like him.”
Over at Newbury, favouriteOK Corralhas been left in the Ladbrokes Trophy at the 5-day stage.
Nicky Henderson’s nine-year-old had a racecourse gallop last week and heads the market for the valuable contest, won last year by the ill-fatedSizing Tennessee.
The Irish contingent also appear to hold a strong hand, with Willie Mullins’ Cabaret Queenand Gordon Elliott’sBoricechallenging at the top of the market.
