Supasundae denies Buveur D'Air in dramatic Aintree Hurdle

Supasundae outbattled Buveur D'Air in a stirring finish to land a dramatic Aintree Hurdle for Jessica Harrington.

The 15-2 shot, second in the race last year to L'Ami Serge, looked to be struggling going into the home straight but rallied to defy the dual Champion Hurdle winner a second success in the race.

Supasundae, who was a well-beaten seventh in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, was providing Harrington with a second Aintree Hurdle after Jezki's victory in 2015.

Rider Robbie Power said: "He's a very tough horse. He's won three Grade 1s now and never gets the credit he deserves. He's just a really good horse. He'll always pull one out, this fella. I was quite comfortable turning in and knew he'd keep finding.

"I was disappointed Melon fell because it left me in front too soon and this lad doesn't do a stroke in front. I'm delighted for the horse because he's so tough and consistent. That – two and a half miles – is probably his ideal trip."

Buveur D'Air, who fell in the Champion Hurdle when attempting a third win, could not find any extra and was below par in second.

Nicky Henderson: 'Buveur D'Air hasn't had a very lucky year'Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: "He ran a great race and he's done nothing wrong. It was a tough race; they had to see it out in that ground, and I thought he stayed well. Tactically, it got a bit messy and Melon didn't help us when he fell. It gave Supasundae the run on us. He hasn't had a very lucky year."

Of Willie Mullins' pair, Faugheen was pulled up going away from the stands, while Melon took a heavy fall at the third-last.

Ruby Walsh, who made the decision to pull up Faugheen, said of the 2015 Champion Hurdle winner: "He was lifeless. He couldn't hold a position and he didn't feel right. He's sound and he's fine, but he didn't feel right."

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