Thriving Buveur D'Air skips Newbury gallop as Fighting Fifth comeback nears

Joint Champion Hurdle favourite Buveur D'Air is in such good form this autumn he skipped a planned racecourse gallop at Newbury on Tuesday morning.

Instead it was stablemate and Triumph Hurdle winner Pentland Hills who made use of the course on Tuesday as part of the Ladbrokes-sponsored event, to build up his work towards his comeback in the Unibet International Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 14.

Dual Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D'Air fell when bidding for a third success in the race in March but is back at the head of the market, disputing favouritism with Saldier at no bigger than 5-1 following the defeat of Klassical Dream last week.

Buveur D'Air officially turns nine in six weeks' time, but trainer Nicky Henderson said: "He is ahead of himself this year, having done a lot more work and Barry [Geraghty] rode him on Saturday and didn't feel he needed to come to Newbury today this year as he had done plenty of work."

Fusil Raffles: heading for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton nextCredit: Getty Images

While bookmakers were quick to react to Klassical Dream's defeat, Henderson said: "I'm sure there was plenty left to work on with Klassical Dream, just like Fusil Raffles after his Elite win at Wincanton where he didn't impress anyone. Fusil Raffles was only just ready to run at Wincanton and will be a different horse in the Christmas Hurdle."

That Grade 1 at Kempton on December 26 could feature a clash with Buveur D'Air. Henderson could also be double-handed in the International as last year's winner Brain Power is under consideration after winning the American Grand National, described by Henderson as a "two-and-a-half-mile hurdle race".

The Grade 2 contest at Cheltenham next month is also the target for last season's County Hurdle winner Ch'Tibello, who also stretched his legs at Newbury on Tuesday.

Trainer Dan Skelton, who paired him in his gallop with Gerry Feilden-bound Wetherby winner Antunes, said: "I've been delighted with him at home and this was a good day out. He has got to come out of handicaps rated 157 now."

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