Dual champion Buveur D'Air bidding for third strike in Fighting Fifth Hurdle

2.05 NewcastleBetfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m | 4yo+| ITV/SKY

Buveur D'Air could just be the Muhammad Ali of this jumps season – recovering from adversity and defying the years to regain his title.

It was the third flight of hurdles rather than a right-hander from Ken Norton that left the dual Champion Hurdle winner reeling, down for the count as he attempted to complete the hat-trick at Cheltenham last March.

Nor was that fall the only time he let his guard down in 2018-19, as he also made an almighty blunder three out on his way to defeat in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and was defeated by Supasundae at Aintree.

But the hitherto slick and flawless jumper showed he could still float like a butterfly with a characteristically stylish victory in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in May.

And ahead of this bid to land a third straight Fighting Fifth Hurdle Buveur D'Air is favourite in some lists for the Champion Hurdle – even though he’ll be nine come Cheltenham and there have been only three winners of that age since 1981.

"He's in great form," said trainer Nicky Henderson, bidding to improve on his own record tally of five Fighting Fifth wins.

His biggest obstacle may turn out to be the weather, with a forecast frost forcing an 8am inspection, and Henderson added: "Let’s hope it’s on. The ground will be no worry. He goes on heavy ground, and this has always been the plan. It's a good starting point for him."

Silver streaking to the top

Few hurdlers have progressed as much as Silver Streak, who won a Taunton handicap off a BHA mark of 96 just under three years ago and now takes on a dual champion at level weights.

He actually fared better than Buveur D'Air at Cheltenham last March when finishing third behind Espoir D'Allen.

But that does not have Evan Williams fancying his chances for the rematch, even though Silver Streak may have a fitness edge after winning a Listed hurdle at Kempton on his comeback last month.

Silver Streak: landed a Listed contest at Kempton on his seasonal returnCredit: Getty Images

"It's just a pleasure to be taking part in such a great race," the trainer said. "We're taking on a dual Champion Hurdle and Fighting Fifth winner.

"Whether we've had a good prep or a bad prep, the favourite will be impossible to beat. We're a long behind doing anything that that champion has done.

"All I can say is it's a pleasure to have a horse to run in Grade 1s who deserves to be there. The fight for second place will be hard."

Buttons takes chance for Kirby

The betting suggests that Silver Streak's main rival for the runner-up spot is Lady Buttons, who won a Listed mares' hurdle at Wetherby earlier this month.

She mixed hurdles and fences last season and will bid to repeat last year's victory in the 2m chase at Newbury if Newcastle is abandoned in time for her to make the trip.

Trainer Phil Kirby said: "She's rated higher as a chaser than a hurdler but that's because we've probably aimed her at better races over fences.

"I think this is the right race for her. I'm not saying she's going to win but it's a small field, it's a Grade 1 and she deserves to have a go. Buveur D'Air will have to underperform for us to beat him but horses do, don't they?

"She was good first time out at Wetherby and she's had a run while the favourite hasn't. Even if she was third in a Grade 1 that wouldn't be a bad result."

Cornerstone Lad also struck at Wetherby last time out, landing a handicap hurdle for Micky Hammond, who said: "He's in good form and won his last Flat race and then won over hurdles at Wetherby."

His progressive two-miler would be 19lb better off with the favourite in a handicap and the trainer said: "He goes on the ground and he can only do his best but Buveur D'Air is a super horse."

The Tony Carroll-trained Nelson River, the winner of two races over hurdles, completes the line-up.

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