Two-time champion Buveur D'Air is among the 27 entrants for the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. As one of the most anticipated races of the festival, we can't wait for this one to get underway as there are some cracking horses in the running.
The Nicky Henderson-trained gelding has claimed overall glory in the Grade One race in each of the last two years and he is looking to become the sixth three-time winner, a feat last achieved by Istabraq at the turn of the century. Last year, he was ridden by Barry Geraghty to glory. This French-bred British-trained AQPS racehorse has been widely tipped as one to look out for at the prestigious event in March.
Buveur d'Air takes its name from the French word which translates to “drinker of air”. If you don't know much about this horse, is a bay gelding with a small white star from France by renowned breeder Gerard Ferte. In his early racing career he was trained in France by his owner Philippe Chemin. The 8 year old has had an impressive start to his career. After moving to England, he won the Top Novices' Hurdle in 2016. The following season he won two steeplechases before going back to hurdle races to win the Contenders Hurdle. In the 17-18 season he remained unbeaten and won a second Champion Hurdle.
The eight-year-old did however suffer a shock defeat at the hands of fellow stablemate Verdana Blue, who is also among the entrants for the Champion Hurdle, on his last run at Kempton over the festive period. It should be an interesting battle between these two.
In total Henderson has six entrants in the race, as Brain Power, Call Me Lord, Charli Parcs and We Have A Dream are also in the mix.
Willie Mullins also looks set to be well featured, with last year's runner-up Melon and the unbeaten Laurina set to headline the contenders for the Irish champion trainer.
Samcro and Apple's Jade are the two main runners for Gordon Elliott, while Jessica Harrington's Supasundae and Espoir D'Allen, who is trained by Gavin Cromwell, could also come into contention.
This year's Champion Hurdle will, as ever, take place on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival on the 12th of March. As always, keen punters looking to bet on the British horse racing will be chomping at the bit for the festival to start. It is one of the highlights of the racing calendar for punters which attracts huge crowds and viewers from all over the globe. Bookmakers will be doing their all to tempt customers in to betting with them, so if you are having a bet, keep a look out for enhanced odds and special promotions during what we hope, will be a festival to remember. With so much talent on offer it should be a cracker.
This year will be the 89th running of the Championship hurdle and going by the entrants, it should be one of the best. Unibet, like the last few years are the main sponsors of the event and as such, we expect them to be offering the best odds on the race.
