Buveur back to brilliant best with dazzling win under supersub Russell

The jockey who would normally have been in the saddle and the rider who was supposed to be his deputy were both missing. So, too, for much of this season has been the real Buveur D'Air. On a day of enormous pride for Nicky Henderson, the great horse re-emerged.

When he won the Fighting Fifth Hurdle many months ago, the dual Champion Hurdle hero bagged his 11th consecutive success. More than that, he produced arguably the finest performance of his marvellous career.

What happened thereafter failed to follow the anticipated script. There was an easy success at Sandown but beforehand he was turned over at Kempton and at Cheltenham in March he fell. That was surprising. When he subsequently succumbed to Supasundae at Aintree, it was disappointing.

The case for the defence would point out Aintree's ground was gruelling, particularly for a two-mile specialist competing over half a mile further. Back to his normal trip on a more suitable surface, Buveur D'Air showed the sort of brilliance none of those facing him in the Betdaq Punchestown Champion Hurdle had a hope of matching.

Buveur D'Air and Davy Russell after winning the Punchestown Champion HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

From start to finish he oozed class, but he did so without regular partner Barry Geraghty or Mark Walsh, who had been due to stand in for JP McManus's sidelined number-one. Walsh suffered a suspected broken leg earlier on the card, which paved the way for Davy Russell to enjoy the pleasure of guiding Buveur D'Air to a two-and-a-half-length defeat of his Aintree conqueror Supasundae.

Wicklow Brave ran a fine race to take third, but Apple's Jade and Melon were on this occasion not so much pipped as pulverised.

"It's great to see him finish the season back to his absolute best," said Henderson.

"He started the season in the Fighting Fifth in a way that made everyone think he was going to be unbeatable. So did I.

"We then went and beat him with one of our own horses, Verdana Blue, which was a bit of a shock. Unfortunately he fell in the Champion Hurdle, which knocked us sideways, but it was a good race at Aintree and Hannah Ryan, who looks after him brilliantly and rides him every day, has been telling us all for a fortnight he has never been better.

"This was a proper race today. That's what suits him and his hurdling was right back to its usual slickness. We now go into the summer looking forward to next season. He's the one to beat again, which is great."

JP McManus celebrates with Davy Russell after his victory on Buveur D'AirCredit: Patrick McCann

Jessica Harrington – Henderson's landlady during his Punchestown trip – felt Supasundae ran a "fantastic race", adding: "Two and a half miles is probably his optimum trip but he really is an amazing horse."

Russell offered similar words about the winner and his trainer.

"I've been lucky enough these last few years to have a few rides for Nicky Henderson and you don't really realise the master he is until you ride for him," said Russell.

"There aren't many Buveur D'Airs around and I'm really proud to have been given the opportunity to ride him."

Buveur D'Air's owner was understandably thrilled, but McManus made sure to express sympathy for the luckless Walsh, saying: "It's very unfortunate for Mark as he'll be out for a while but he'll be back."

Very much back is Buveur D'Air, a sensational racehorse who also has a tendency to kick, which caused Henderson to dart after McManus's wife Noreen in the winner's enclosure.

"Don't get near his back end," Henderson implored, warning: "He's lethal."

Any of those who tried to beat him in this Punchestown Champion Hurdle would tell you the same.

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