Buveur D’Air looking to make it two on the bounce in Fighting Fifth
Nicky Henderson's star could face a stern test from recent Grade 2 victor Bedrock
CHAMPION HURDLE winner Buveur D'Air will look to give Nicky Henderson another big day on the Toon in next month's Fighting Fifth.
The classy seven-year-old cantered home in last year's race and will bid for a follow-up.
However, if he's going to repeat the dose he'll have to get the better of Bedrock - the only horse that's ever beaten hotpot hype-hurdler Samcro.
On official ratings, Iain Jardine's challenger has over a stone to find with the likely favourite, but connections are confident he can give the current Champion Hurdler plenty to think about.
"We were delighted with Bedrock's win at Down Royal and he is very much a horse on the up," said Jardine.
"We may well bump into Nicky Henderson's Champion Hurdle winner in the Fighting Fifth but we have beaten one hot-pot in Samcro.
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"We go to Newcastle excited for our new American owners and hope to give Buveur D'Air a tough time."
The pair head a possible field of twenty-four runners for the Grade 1 contest on December 1.
As well as the favourite, trainer Nicky Henderson could also field Elite Hurdle winner Verdana Blue, Charlie Parcs and We Have A Dream.
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The defeated Samcro also been given an entry, as has former Fighting Fifth runner-up Apple's Jade.
Other possibles include Supreme Novice Hurdle winner Summerville Boy, Dan Skelton's County Hurdle victor Mohaayed and Silver Streak, who was an impressive winner of the Welsh Champion Hurdle last month.