Nicky Henderson warns 'Buveur D'Air will come on an awful lot for the run'

Saturday: 3.15 Kelso
bet365 Morebattle Hurdle | 2m | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

It’s clear there is considerable confidence behind the Harry Fry-trained Metier, who will relish underfoot conditions, but nonetheless the main story leading into the Borders track’s richest race centres on the return of dual champion hurdler Buveur D’Air.

Nicky Henderson stresses his popular 11-year-old, who is being aimed at the Grade 1 Betway Aintree Hurdle next month, will need the run, but it will be fantastic to see a horse who was a delight to watch during his halcyon days.

The eight-time Grade 1 winner has been off the track for 331 days since sustaining an injury when fourth in last year’s Aintree Hurdle behind Abacadabras.

Henderson said: “It’s his first run for a long time. He ran a great race in the Aintree Hurdle last year, and then bumped into another problem – nothing to do with the foot problem which had troubled him previously – which kept him out of Punchestown.

“He did lots of work at Martinstown in Ireland before he came back to me, and everyone was very happy with him over there.”

Buveur D’Air will have no problem with the testing ground, but he will not be 100 per cent wound-up for this return.

His trainer added: “We had only two options for some practice – this race or the Champion Hurdle.

“He’s got a lot of weight, but he doesn’t mind very soft ground. He’s in very good form. In a couple of schooling sessions he’s looked exactly the same as he did five years ago – like a little arrow.

“He’ll come on an awful lot for the run at Kelso, but it will be lovely to see him back.”

What they say

Harry Fry, trainer of Metier
I was delighted to see Kelso had seven millimetres of rain on Thursday night and that the ground was changed to soft, heavy in places. Those conditions are right up Metier’s street. He’s obviously gone up in the weights after his Lingfield win on heavy, and it’s a very competitive race – as it should be for the amount of prize-money they’re putting on. I haven’t even thought about Cheltenham yet, even though he has a couple of entries there. Kelso is our focus.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Faivoir
He ran okay in a good Graded race at Wincanton last time and I’m sure he’ll run his race again. Whether he’s a bit high up the handicap, we'll find out.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Autumn Evening
It’s a really nice prize, worth more than the County Hurdle, and we thought why not have a go. He’s a lovely young horse and he won’t mind the rain that Kelso have got. If you ran this sort of race in Ireland there would be 20 runners or more so, fingers crossed, he’ll run a big race. He probably just got there a bit soon at Leopardstown but he travelled great through the race.

Iain Jardine, trainer of Voix Du Reve
He’s definitely been given a real chance by the handicapper. It’s a tough race, but if you look back through his form you’d have to give him a live outside chance. He ran well at Kelso on good ground last time out, but he has got form on soft and carrying a light weight in the conditions he’ll face on Saturday is an advantage.

Brian Ellison, trainer of Cormier
He’s been a star. He’s come out of his Cheltenham win in good form. It’s a tough race, but he’s battle-hardened. He did it well at Cheltenham, and was very tough in the finish. He’s got a good racing weight of 10st 7lb.

Jane Williams, trainer of Balko Saint
He’s a funny horse and it’s his first run for a long time. I hope I’ve got him fit but mine tend to improve for a run after a break. He’s a very nice type and if he doesn’t get into the festival this will be the start of a spring/summer campaign.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Severance
It’s a competitive race, but he’s in good order and the ground softening up will be in his favour.

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Thereisnodoubt
He’s 4lb out of the handicap but we've only run him twice and he loves heavy ground. He’s a very tough, hardy horse and he doesn’t know how to run a bad race.

Read a selection of Saturday previews . . .

1.50 Newbury: does Paul Nicholls have another likely type in bid for tenth Greatwood Gold Cup?

2.40 Kelso: can exciting Espoir De Romay continue the trend of Premier performances?

Big-race analysis: can Buveur D'Air defy top weight and raise the roof at Kelso? (Members' Club)

3.30 Meydan: 'I think he's a big player' – Godolphin trio take on Lord Glitters in Jebel Hatta

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