Geraghty still wary of Faugheen in Champion

Barry Geraghty remains wary of the potential threat from Faugheen to Buveur D'Air in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Geraghty is the regular partner of the JP McManus-owned, Nicky Henderson-trained reigning champion Buveur D'Air, who has impressed in winning both his starts in Grade One company this season, in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

In contrast, while Willie Mullins' Faugheen strolled to victory on his long-awaited return to action in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown, he was bitterly disappointing when pulled up in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival.

Geraghty told At The Races: "Buveur D'Air did what we hoped he would do in the Christmas Hurdle. He is so uncomplicated, he did everything right through the race and he picked up nicely for me from the second-last flight. The New One is a good horse, and we came away from him nicely. It was a very satisfactory performance from Buveur D'Air.

"It's all systems go now for the Champion Hurdle again obviously. I thought after the Fighting Fifth Hurdle that he could be an improved horse this year, he could be a stronger horse, and I still think that. Everything has gone to plan with him this season so far, so hopefully that will continue to be the case.

"He will probably have one more run now before the Festival. There is no decision yet on where that will be, but there are a couple of options.

"I see that he is clear favourite now for the Champion Hurdle after Faugheen's defeat at Leopardstown, but I wouldn't be writing off Faugheen at all.

"His run at Leopardstown was obviously too bad to be true. He is a brilliant hurdler, he is the 2015 champion, he was only beaten once before Friday, and his debut this season in the Morgiana Hurdle proved that he still had all his ability.

"Ignore him at your peril."