'He was like his old self' - Nicky Henderson buoyed by Buveur D'Air's return

Nicky Henderson on Sunday reported Buveur D'Air to be 100 per cent after returning from a lengthy absence to finish second at Haydock on Saturday and the champion trainer remains positive about his chances of a third Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Henderson has won hurdling's most prestigious prize more times than any trainer and Buveur D'Air provided him with a brace of victories in 2017 and 2018, but a nasty hoof injury incurred in the Fighting Fifth last season meant he missed the festival last spring.

Stablemate Epatante stepped in to give the yard its eighth triumph and heads the betting with race sponsors Unibet at 9-4 to double up, while Buveur D'Air – who finished second to Navajo Pass in Haydock's The New One Unibet Hurdle on his first run for 420 days – is a top-priced 22-1 with the same firm.