Options open for Buveur D'Air Connections are keeping their options open for Buveur D'Air after the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding was given entries over hurdles and fences at Sandown on Saturday. The six-year-old, owned by JP McManus, has won both his starts over the bigger obstacles. Despite that, he remains in the betting for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at prices varying from 7-1 to 20-1. He was put in the reopened Betfred 'Follow Us On Twitter' Contenders Hurdle after already appearing in the list of possibles for the Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Chase on the same card. McManus has two other entries for the Scilly Isles in Le Prezien and Hell's Kitchen. "Buveur D'Air is in both races. Obviously he's been novice chasing so far this season," said McManus' racing manager, Frank Berry. "There is a chance he'd go back hurdling if we felt that was the best race for him. We'll see later in the week what we'll do with the ground and everything." Berry confirmed Yanworth was on course to have his prep run for the Champion in the Contenders Hurdle. "Hopefully, Yanworth will go to Sandown. The other lad (Buveur D'Air) has an entry in it, too, and we'll make our mind up later in the week where he goes," he said. "With the weather and everything they are all entered up and we'll know what's happening nearer the time." Yanworth, trained by Alan King, is currently second-favourite for the Champion Hurdle at around 3-1. He has won both his starts this season, his latest success coming in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, but he is expected to be better suited to the stiffer track at Sandown. As well as Buveur D'Air, Henderson also has impressive Ascot handicap hurdle scorer Brain Power. The Paul Nicholls-trained Irving might try to make amends for his fall in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock recently, while Rayvin Black, Hurry Henry and Sleepy Haven make up the seven entries.
