Buveur D'Air heads three-pronged bid for record success

Success with any one of his three runners would make Nicky Henderson the most successful trainer in Champion Hurdle history, a record he currently shares with Peter Easterby after wins with See You Then (three), Punjabi and Binocular.

If the bookmakers have done their sums right he is little more than a 6-4 chance to succeed with one of his runners, and what makes that all the more remarkable is that he is not even running his best prospect, even though the horse in question is fit and well and raring to go, unlike so many of the top 2m hurdlers this March.

For Henderson's best chance of winning the Champion Hurdle would most probably have been with last year's impressive Supreme Novices' winner Altior and he, of course, has a prior engagement 40 minutes earlier.

Henderson agreed: "If Altior was in here I've no doubt he would be favourite, so therefore the only circumstances that would get me out of the mire would be for Altior to win the Arkle and for one of the other three to win the Champion, thus showing I didn't need Altior here."

Buveur D'Air is the shortest-priced of the trio, despite being a latecomer to the party, switched here after a productive start over fences only when it became apparent that neither of the last two winners might make it to post.

On form he still has a bit to find, but that does not worry Henderson, who said: "He's in excellent form and has done everything required of him.

"To be fair, it wasn't very difficult to beat what he had to beat at Sandown, but he's a high-class horse, as he showed when third here last year and again when beating Petit Mouchoir at Aintree. He's in good shape and looking very, very well."

Brain Power, the mount of Grand National-winning rider David Mullins, has a better chance on the figures, but he too arrives here via an unconventional route, not having been tested in a conventional trial after two wins in strong handicaps.

Henderson has always had a high opinion of the six-year-old and said: "Brain Power hasn't run for a bit on purpose, but he did a good gallop at Kempton the other day and went very well. He's bouncing at the moment. He's full of it!"

Brain Power: will be the mount of David Mullins in the Champion HurdleCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The horse with the most solid championships credentials stands at by far the longest odds, after a distinctly lacklustre campaign, but Henderson had positive news.

He said: "My Tent Or Yours is in excellent shape. He's never won here, but he's run some fantastic races and been second in two Champion Hurdles. He's been freshened up and had a racecourse gallop. I think his price underestimates his chance."

Buveur D'Air pros Still unexposed and is held in high regard by trainer, who knows what is required and was thinking outside the box when switching him here

Cons: On the book he has a bit to find.

Brain Power pros Has displayed obvious talent in strongly contested handicaps and could have plenty more to offer

Cons This is a big step up in class

Point of fact
Michael Buckley fancies his chances with Brain Power in the Champion Hurdle, but all is not necessarily lost if the six-year-old fails to fire. For Buckley's interests are scattered far and wide and two Flat racers trained by Jamie Osborne could save the day.

Osborne, who saddles Hungarian Rhapsody at Southwell (1.45) and Long John Silver (6.15) for Buckley, said: "My job is to provide Michael with either a consolation prize or the icing on the cake. Both horses are once-raced maidens who might well be good enough to win granted normal improvement."

Buckley also has a live chance with Hammersly Lake in Cheltenham's Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase (5.30), and the fun does not stop there.

Osborne revealed: "It was always the plan to run our greyhound Toast Of Newyork at Towcester in the evening. I dare say Michael will be having a super yankee!"

Champion Hurdle card

Click here for the latest bookmaker offers