Buveur d'Air won his 10th consecutive race with a hard-fought victory over Melon in Tuesday's Grade 1 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

A 7-year-old gelding, Buveur d'Air won the $556,000 Champion Hurdle for the second consecutive year, becoming the first horse to do so since Hardy Eustace in 2004-05.

Buveur d'Air was the 2-3 favorite, but did run to his odds. He was pressed to the line by Melon to win the two-mile race by a neck on heavy turf. Ridden by Barry Geraghty, Buveur d'Air stalked pacesetter Charlie Parcs and Faugheen before taking the lead with about three furlongs to go.

Buveur d'Air and Melon were side-by-side for the final two hurdles. Melon may have taken a brief lead before Buveur D'Air outfinished his 7-1 rival.

"It was too exciting," said winning owner J.P. McManus.

Mick Jazz, a 25-1 chance in a field of 12, was third, three lengths behind Melon.

McManus and trainer Nicky Henderson won the Champion Hurdle for a record seventh time on Tuesday. McManus owned Istabraq, who won the race three consecutive years from 1998 to 2000. 

The two men have won the Champion Hurdle together on three occasions, including the 2010 running with Binocular. This was the third win in the Champion Hurdle for Geragthy.

Buveur d'Air's win streak began at Aintree in April 2016. Henderson said Buveur d'Air may return to Aintree when that track holds its famous Grand National meeting from April 12-14.

"He's a young horse and he does everything right," Henderson said. "He got a battle and did what he was supposed to do,"