Buveur D'Air impressive winner of Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham

Buveur D'Air stormed clear up the hill to win the Stan James Champion Hurdle and give trainer Nicky Henderson a record sixth win in the race.

The 5/1 shot, ridden by Noel Fehily, joined long-time leader Petit Mouchoir on the run between the last two hurdles and showed far too much pace for the rest of the field.

Henderson was able to celebrate a 1-2, with 10-year-old My Tent Or Yours staying on well to take second at 16/1 ahead of the gallant Petit Mouchoir (6/1).

And it was also a 50th Cheltenham Festival winner for owner JP McManus, whose green and gold colours were also carried by the runner-up.

Petit Mouchoir had set a decent pace and was still travelling well in front as the field came down the hill, but a mistake at the second last would cost him momentum as the pace was hotting up.

Stable companion My Tent Or Yours would emerge as Buveur D'Air's chief threat, but Aidan Coleman's gelding had to settle for a third second-placed finish in the race.

The winner had started the season as a novice chase prospect, but moved back to hurdles last time out before a number of leading contenders were ruled out of the Champion.

Henderson said: "He won his two novice chases, but I just knew there was more there over hurdles. It was before Faugheen came out of the race that I said we'd go back (over hurdles).

"He's not very flashy at home but you had to feel that there was unfinished business. It was a very open race, but I just knew he was a very talented horse.

"It's the horses and the people that make it. Of course it's special, but we do it because we love doing it. It's just fun. When this sort of thing happens, it's even better fun. We'll keep trying.

"I thought Brain Power (ninth) was going very well too, but he didn't quite get home and then you feel sorry for My Tent Or Yours.

"It's wonderful we've won the Champion Hurdle but that's three Champion Hurdles he's been second in. What else can you say about him? He's just sensational, but the young horse has done it.

"I wondered if I'd got it wrong (reverting to hurdles) but it's proved the right thing to do and it's worked on the day."

McManus was typically thankful to others for his landmark Cheltenham winner as he said. "It doesn't get much better than that, the first two in the Champion Hurdle.

"I can't remember exactly what Nicky said but he wanted to go back hurdling before any of the doubts about Faugheen and Annie Power. I just let him get on with it, he knows best."