Buveur D'Air likely to be hard to beat, but Jardine fancies Bedrock to beat rest

Iain Jardine accepts that Bedrock faces a very tough task against Buveur D'Air in Boxing Day's Unibet Christmas Hurdle but would back him to beat the others.

Bedrock already has one notable scalp, having beaten Samcro at Down Royal, and would already have had a crack at Buveur D'Air in Newcastle's Fighting Fifth Hurdle but for the testing ground. Missing that race might prove a blessing in disguise.

Jardine said: "He's been working nicely and I think he likes to be fresh. Kempton will suit, as he likes going right-handed and a flat track. It looks as if the ground is going to be all right for him too."

Bedrock did not get the press he deserved for beating Samcro at Down Royal, but the handicapper took note and now has him on 157, 20lb higher than when he arrived from Dan Skelton's last winter.

Jardine said: "I don't think it was a fluke, and Samcro went on to run a good enough race against Buveur D'Air. I'm not saying Bedrock is the next big thing, but he never got any credit as it was all about Samcro getting beaten. Bedrock had won well at Tipperary before that too.

Watch Bedrock beat Samcro in the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal

"The only thing worrying me is Buveur D'Air, and he'd worry anyone. He's on 172, so we've still got 15lb to find on ratings, but we're second best in the Christmas Hurdle and he'd be some bet without the favourite."

Bedrock has been sold to American owners since Down Royal but Jardine hopes he might hang on to him a bit longer if he makes a race of it with the dual Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D'Air.

He said: "The new owners have a race in mind but he's not going anywhere yet and if he keeps progressing he might stay and have a go at the Champion Hurdle. That would be a dream but we're taking it race by race."

Eight entries were unveiled on Friday for the reopened Christmas Hurdle, while there are 15 in theKauto Star Novices' Chase, including Santini, Bags Groove and LaBague Au Roi.

Full Kempton card on Boxing Day

The going at Kempton was on Friday described as good to soft, good in places.

Clerk of the course Barney Clifford said: "If we were racing today I'd call it good, good to soft in places, but there's rain forecast, so I'm calling it good to soft, good in places.

Barney Clifford: weather supposed to be dry on Christmas Day and Boxing DayCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We had 4mm overnight and could have 10mm more, in two batches, on Sunday and on Christmas Eve. It's then supposed to be dry on Christmas Day and Boxing Day."

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