Bring on Samcro! Nicky Henderson says dual champ Buveur D'Air is underestimated

Nicky Henderson said on Tuesday he was relishing a battle between his two-time Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D'Air and new rival Samcro at Cheltenham in March.

Samcro has deposed Buveur D'Air at the head of the market for the Unibet Champion Hurdle after a switch to fences was delayed but Henderson said his title-holder had returned from a summer break and wind operation in particularly good order and was underestimated by the public.

"No one gives you a freebie in the Champion Hurdle and there's always going to be new blood coming in – you're not going to get a walkover," Henderson said.