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Workmanlike Buveur D'Air falls short of last year's winning mark in Champion
Buveur D'Air (167) did not quite match last year's winning mark of 170 and was certainly made to work very hard to retain his crown in a thrilling Champion Hurdle.
Not seriously tested in three races this season en route to the festival, he had to dig pretty deep to see off the challenge of last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle runner-up Melon (166) who, along with third home Mick Jazz (163), stepped up appreciably on his previous best figure.
Surprise fourth Identity Thief (156) had hinted he was on the way back on his previous start and looks to have run at least as well as when finishing sixth to Annie Power in this race in 2016.
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Published on inReports
Last updated
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