Dual Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D’Air will not bid to regain his crown next week at Cheltenham following an announcement from Nicky Henderson
Buveur D’Air, who was successful in the Cheltenham Festival showpiece in 2017 and 2018, will now compete for the Aintree Hurdle over two and a half miles next month.
The 10-year-old, who is owned by JP McManus, made a return from a 420-day injury lay-off to finish second of three runners in the The New One Unibet Hurdle at Haydock in January this year.
He has remained in the Champion Hurdle reckoning, after his trainer voiced satisfaction with his wellbeing following that comeback.
However, on Monday evening, Henderson posted on his official Twitter account: “Having discussed plans with JP over the weekend, we have decided that Buveur D’Air will NOT run @CheltenhamRaces and instead will wait for @AintreeRaces.
“The extra distance will suit him well. He and Epatante are in very good form, and we are very much looking forward to next week.”
