Nicky Henderson became the most successful trainer in the history of the Stan James Champion Hurdle after Buveur D'Air claimed the feature race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Seven Barrows handler has now secured six victories in the two-mile showpiece. Just for good measure, Henderson also saddled runner-up My Tent Or Yours, who was finishing second in the race for a third time.

Henderson said: "The horse Buveur D'Air beat very easily first time out at Haydock over fences was second to Altior in the Arkle [Cloudy Dream] and I thought 'blimey, that's good chasing form.' I wondered had I got it wrong [in sending him back over hurdles].

"We felt it was the right thing to do and it has worked on the day. Noel has given him a beautiful ride. Well done him.

"You feel sorry for My Tent Or Yours. It's wonderful - we have won the Champion Hurdle - but that is now three Champion Hurdles he has been second in as well as a Supreme Novices' Hurdle. What else can you say about a horse who has done that again and again? He has been sensational. But the youngster has got home, and that is great.

"I thought Brain Power [Henderson's third runner in the race] was going very well two out but he did not get home. I feel sorry for Michael Buckley (owner)."

Jockey Noel Fehily said of the 5/1 winner: "Early on, I felt I was doing too much and I thought it took me a while to get him switched off. He's just a very good horse. It's just fantastic. It was a great performance. He travelled great and he jumped very slick. You wouldn’t know he’d been over fences."

The first two horses home are owned by J.P. McManus, with four and a half lengths the winning distance.

Petit Mouchoir was third after cutting out much of the running.

The disappointment of the race was the favourite Yanworth who was beaten before the second last. Wicklow Brave lost about 10 lengths at the start but made it up quickly, he came to challenge off the last bend but could not go through with his effort.