Nicky Henderson's eight-year-old was downed by stablemate Verdana Blue on his last start in the Christmas Hurdle.
Punters were left with their fingers burnt after the 1-4 shot was beaten, and Henderson had suggested Buveur D'Air could miss his traditional Cheltenham prep race.
However, the Seven Barrows handler reports his champion hurdler to be back in good form and he will head to Sandown.
Henderson said: "He was in great form this morning, absolutely super.
"He is heading for the Contenders, and that is the plan. If he doesn't go to the Contenders he doesn't go anywhere, and I am then going to have to gallop him at home.
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"At least he might as well go have a gallop on the racecourse at Sandown."
Meanwhile stablemate Brain Power is set to head straight to Cheltenham after he was forced to miss an intended run at Haydock at the weekend.
Henderson added: "There was a margin that wasn't quite right with Brain Power, and you have got to make sure they are 100 per cent.
"I don't know that he needs a run, and I can't think Wincanton is a great place for him.
"I wouldn't be worried if he didn't run anywhere, because a lot of these horses will have racecourse gallops."
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