Nicky Henderson's former shining light Buveur D'Air is still on for the Aintree Hurdle next month despite finishing 11th on his reappearance at Kelso.
The Champion Hurdle winner ran reasonable for most of the two-mile journey until his lack of recent racecourse action took its toll in the soft ground. He weakened to finish ninth of 11 and 27 lengths behind the winner Cormier.
It was Buveur D'Air's first start since he was fourth in the Aintree Hurdle last April and that race, which he won in 2017, is still the target.
"He's come out of the race very well. There were four hurdles missing (due to the low sun) which wasn't a help and he just got very tired in the ground," said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.
"Nicky says he's come out of the race very well so hopefully, all going well, we'll see him in Liverpool.
"It was nice to see him back and he came out of it good, which is the main thing."
We're just a week away from The @CheltenhamRaces Festival and the Champion Hurdle!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 3, 2020
Turnback time to Buveur D'Air's 2⃣0⃣1⃣8⃣ thrilling victory!
Who wins in 2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣? pic.twitter.com/7nLMHS1Nmd
