A stable star for Nicky Henderson, Buveur D’Air is a two time champion hurdle winner and an 8 time grade 1 winner.
Clearly the class act of the race here, he’s now 11 years old and has had issues staying sound over the last couple of seasons.
Beaten in the 2019 Fighting Fifth when suffering a foot injury, he’s only ran twice since. Coming 2nd to Navajo Pass in a Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock last January before coming 4th in last season’s Aintree hurdle.
His official rating has been trimmed markedly by the handicapper and the once 172 rated hurdler finds himself running off 153 now. If being able to retain some of his old ability a mark of 153 could massively underestimate him.
He goes well fresh and has never ran in a handicap before. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him roll back the years.