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Buveur D'Air tops select list of 12 entries for the Fighting Fifth Hurdle
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D'Air is one of 12 entries for the Unibet Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on December 2.
Nicky Henderson took an unfamiliar path to Cheltenham last season as Buveur D'Air won two novice chases before having his attentions switched back to hurdling.
His return went perfectly to plan, though, as he won first at Sandown, then at Cheltenham in March and Aintree in April.
Henderson has been aiming for the Fighting Fifth with his charge all autumn.
"He went chasing with Altior last year, but I was pretty sure either of them could win a Champion Hurdle. Altior certainly could have done and I was pretty confident Buveur D'Air could too," Henderson told At The Races.
"At the time Altior was just finding chasing easier than him. He was a bit young, I know we've lost our novice status but he's won a Champion Hurdle, so it was worth it. Altior could have done the same thing but the cards went our way.
"He is young (six), that is why he was the one to bring back, as he's a year younger than Altior.
"The tragedy of the whole thing was the one horse you'd have loved to see win the Champion was (eventual runner-up) My Tent Or Yours, luckily he was JP's (McManus) as well so there was no embarrassment."
My Tent Or Yours is also among the entries at Newcastle and he won the race in 2013.
Last year's victor Irving is Paul Nicholls' only entry, while Evan Williams has put in Clyne and John Constable.
Defi Du Seuil has the option for Philip Hobbs, while Flying Tiger could represent Nick Williams. Katgary and Mirsaale are also under consideration.
Gordon Elliott's Apple's Jade, a narrow second in the race last year, stablemate Campeador and Joe Murphy's Swamp Fox represent the possible Irish interests.
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