Nicky Henderson: Buveur D'Air to miss Champion Hurdle for Aintree

Buveur D'Air will not bid for a third victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle next week and will instead be aimed at the Aintree Hurdle.

The ten-year-old returned from injury in The New One Unibet Hurdle at Haydock in January, finishing second to Navajo Pass, and was available at 22-1 with the sponsors to strike at Cheltenham.

His trainer Nicky Henderson announced he will instead be aimed at the Grade 1 Betway Aintree Hurdle on April 8. He won the race in 2017, beating My Tent Or Yours by five lengths, and was second to Supasundae in 2019.

"I've discussed it with JP [McManus] and Buveur D'Air is going to go for the Aintree Hurdle. The two and a half miles should suit him. He's in good form and this gives him a bit of extra time," said Henderson.

The trainer has won the Champion Hurdle a record eight times and will be represented by title-holder Epatante, who Henderson said was in "very good shape" ahead of her repeat bid.

Also owned by McManus, Epatante was last seen finishing second in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. She is available at 7-2 with Unibet for the Champion Hurdle behind 5-2 favourite Honeysuckle.

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