Buveur lands the odds at Warwick Buveur D'Air maintained his unbeaten record over fences with a workmanlike success at Warwick. Third behind esteemed stable companion Altior and Irish ace Min in last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Buveur D'Air went on to claim a Grade One victory of his own at Aintree the following month. The Nicky Henderson-trained gelding made an impressive start to his chasing career at Haydock a fortnight ago and having missed an intended engagement back on Merseyside on Friday after the meeting was abandoned, he was re-routed to the Local Parking Security Novices' Chase. The 30-100 favourite was assured if unspectacular in the jumping department for much of the two-mile journey under Aidan Coleman. He moved smoothly towards the front end rounding the final turn, but was briefly short of room after being squeezed up by Gala Ball and lost his footing and valuable momentum. The pacesetting Gino Trail set sail for home and an untidy leap at the final two fences from Buveur D'Air gave him hope, but the market leader's class told on the run-in and he passed the post with two and a quarter lengths in hand. Paddy Power left Buveur D'Air - who was in receipt of 6lb from Gino Trail - unchanged at 7-1 for the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in March. Frank Berry, racing manager to winning owner JP McManus, said: "I saw it from Punchestown, I'd say he was workmanlike and he'll learn from it jumping wise, he was just novicey at a few. "But it's nice to get it out of the way and some more experience into him. "I've not spoken to Nicky or Aidan, but I'd doubt it (go for the Kingmaker at Warwick), he's had two quick races and he'll probably have a break. It was nice to get the run in." He added: "It got a bit tight (on the bend), but I wouldn't be using that as an excuse for anything."
