Buveur D’Air oozes class to slam Samcro in Fighting Fifth romp
The dual Champion Hurdle winner laughed at Gigginstown's hype horse up the run-in
BUVEUR D'AIR (11-8) came off best in the battle of the giants to land his second successive Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson's classpot was far too good for the hot favourite Samcro, as Supreme winner Summerville Boy laboured in fourth.
In truth, the result could have been called from some way out.
With two flights left to take up Newcastle's lengthy home straight, Samcro and Buveur D'Air drew well clear of their rivals, the fight for hurdling supremacy well and truly on.
But approaching the final furlong it was the Gigginstown contender who cracked first, jockey Jack Kennedy rowing along vigorously as Geraghty and Buveur D'Air sat poised to pounce.
Jumping the last, Geraghty merely had to push out his superstar - who went on to notch his second Fighting Fifth on the bounce.
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It wasn't the result punters were expecting, with Samcro smashed into 6-5 favouritism before the off.
Summerville Boy, who'd drifted alarmingly beforehand, jumped poorly and could never lay a hand on the front two.
A delighted Geraghty said: "That was a really strong race. It was up there with both his Champion Hurdle performances.
"He's only seven going on eight and I'd say he's entitled to improve. Fingers crossed for a triple Champion Hurdle bid!"
Winning trainer Nicky Henderson said: "I think it was relief more than anything. After the bloody nose with Might Bite (Betfair Chase) last Saturday, I was prepared for a second one.
"That was an incredible performance. He doesn't make mistakes, then he makes one at the last, but he picked up. There is so much more improvement in him.
"Last year's Fighting Fifth was a penalty kick. They went a proper gallop, which was no surprise as they tried to stretch his fitness. They were testing me really.
"I thought it was very smooth and slick. He looked like a true champion. He is what he is - a two-time Champion Hurdle winner. Some people haven't rated him as a dual Champion Hurdle winner - I think today those are two good horses.
"He wasn't at his best in last year's Champion Hurdle, he didn't go to Aintree or anywhere else after it, it knocked him around. I don't think he was right at the time, and it's great to see him come back and do that."
"I can't see why he won't do Christmas Hurdle, somewhere and you know where in March - the dream is still alive."
Gordon Elliott appreciated that the best horse won the race but is keen to stick to the script for the rest of the season.
He said: "The best won. No matter what tactics we tried, that would have been the result. I'm still going to train him for the Champion Hurdle, we can't back down now.
"We'll need a miracle to find eight lengths. Listen, we'll need an awful lot of luck, but we decided we'd train him for the Champion and that is what we'll do.
"We came over here to try to take him on and he just showed how good he is. Buveur D'Air was excellent and we've no excuses."
The winner was cut to 8-11 for the Champion Hurdle in March.