Dominant Buveur D’Air The Favourite for Champion Hurdle

Buveur d’Air has streaked clear at the head of the antepost market for the Champion Hurdle after a successful seasonal reappearance in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson’s 7-year-old suffered a late drift and went off second favourite to Samcro at Newcastle but it was the dual Champion Hurdle winner who reminded punters of his class with an 8-length victory.

We reacted by cutting his chances of a third consecutive Champion Hurdle into Even money from 2/1, with Samcro pushed out to 7/1 from 9/2. Willie Mullins’ mare Laurina is now 4/1 second favourite from 5/1.

Nicky Hendreson was already amongst the winners over at Newbury with Santini putting in a winning performance on his chase debut. The son of Milan had been the antepost favourite for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, but is now just 4/1 having backed down from 6/1 after the John Francombe Chase victory.

*Prices correct at time of publication