Fighting Fifth lowdown as Buveur D’Air bids to see off Samcro and Summerville

2.05 Newcastle
Betvictor Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m½f | 4yo+ | ITV/ATR

Arguably the most eagerly awaited race of the jumps season so far, the Fighting Fifth hosts a titanic clash between dual Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D’Air, Ireland’s big hope Samcro and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero Summerville Boy.

Buveur D’Air seems sure to start a hot favourite to extend his impressive winning run – he was last beaten in March 2016 – but it will be fascinating to see if Samcro, who needs to put a below-par reappearance run behind him, can confirm his reputation as one of the most exciting talents to emerge in recent years.

Buveur out to continue dominance

Buveur D’Air will bid for a seventh Grade 1 success and 11th straight victory as Nicky Henderson takes the wraps off the hurdling king after a 263-day layoff.

The son of Crillon had to show guts to successfully defend his Champion Hurdle crown in March as he dug deep up the famous hill to hold Melon by a neck.

This will be his first start since the festival – and his first since undergoing wind surgery in the summer – but Buveur D’Air is unlikely to be lacking in fitness.

Buveur D'Air: makes his first start after a wind opCredit: Edward Whitaker

Henderson said: “He’s done lots of work and has schooled well. It’s a very competitive race and a tough starting place. This will be as big a test as he’s faced anywhere and it’s first time out.

“We've taken him for a racecourse gallop and he’s very well. It’s a fascinating race.”

ProsA dual Champion Hurdle winner, who possesses the most wonderful combination of class, pace, stamina and courage. The will to win he showed at Cheltenham was fantastic.

ConsIt’s obviously a much tougher test than he faced when sent off 1-6 favourite in this race 12 months ago.

Samcro seeks to make amends

Samcro's potential to be a serious Champion Hurdle contender is set to be put to the test.

A dual Grade 1 winner as a novice last season, the Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old suffered a surprise defeat on his reappearance at Down Royal last month.

Withdrawn from the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month when connections considered the ground too lively, Samcro has been pleasing Elliott since.

He said: "He needed his run at Down Royal a bit more than we thought he would. He's been in very good form since and I couldn't be happier with him.

Samcro: beaten by Bedrock last time outCredit: Caroline Norris

"He worked very well at Tipperary last week and had a good blow this week.

"Obviously, we're taking on the reigning champion and you have to respect him, but we're very happy with our horse and there will be no excuses. We ran Mick Jazz in the Champion Hurdle last season and he was beaten three and a half lengths by Buveur D'Air. Samcro is a much better horse."

ProsHeld in the highest regard by his trainer and there is a big chance he will leave his Down Royal defeat behind him.

ConsFaces biggest test now taking on Buveur D'Air, and has plenty to prove over the minimum trip.

Summerville straight in at the deep end

Summerville Boy has largely gone under the radar, but took a big step up in form when landing the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in March by a neck from Kalashnikov, with Mengli Khan a close third.

Both placed horses have already taken their first steps down the novice chasing route this season, but the Champion Hurdle is Summerville Boy’s long-range target.

“We’re throwing him straight in at the deep end,” said trainer Tom George. “There's no hiding place.

“We’re very happy with the horse. He’s enjoyed a good prep and is ready to run. Of course, we’re taking on the best horse in Ireland and the best horse in Britain so we’re fully aware of the task we face.

“He’s an improving horse. Physically he’s strengthened up since last spring. He was quite babyish last season. He has grown up in himself – mentally he’s stronger.

ProsShowed significant improvement to win at Cheltenham and there is no reason why he cannot progress again.

ConsHe has something to find with Buveur D’Air and Samcro on form.

What they say

Ben Haslam, trainer of Bleu Et Rouge
We’ve been impressed with him so far. He’s rated 2lb higher than Vision Des Flos, so you can’t say he’s in the wrong race. His last couple of runs were well below his best so hopefully he’ll be able to get back to form here.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Vision Des Flos
He wasn't very far behind some of these last year and when he unseated on his chasing debut, we thought we'd see if he was up to this class as he's only five. He was travelling brilliantly at Aintree – he looked the winner at two miles and was just outstayed by Wholestone. If he's not up to it we'll go back over fences, but we needed to have a look. He'll not be far away.

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