Henderson wary of Khyber threat :: Horse Racing News

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02:35 Friday 10th February 2012

Updated: 15th March 2010

Henderson wary of Khyber threat

PA News

Nicky Henderson is fearful of the challenge posed by his former inmate Khyber Kim in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle - despite playing a three-strong hand on Tuesday with Punjabi, Zaynar and Binocular.

Khyber Kim was stabled at Henderson's Seven Barrows yard during his novice campaign in 2007-8 but has spent the last season and a half with Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Henderson said: "Khyber Kim is the horse I am most afraid of. I used to have him as a novice and I remember Mick Fitzgerald said at the time the horse could win a Champion Hurdle and an Ascot Gold Cup as he is that good."

Khyber Kim is a general 8-1 chance to prevail, while last year's Champion Hurdle winner Punjabi is just a point shorter after proving his well-being at Kempton last month.

Henderson added: "Punjabi might lack sex appeal, but he has won the race before and wears a crown that says Champion Hurdle on it. Last year he was thumped in the Kingwell coming into the race, whereas this time he could not have had a better prep."

Barry Geraghty remains loyal to Punjabi, with Andrew Tinkler aboard last year's Triumph Hurdle winner Zaynar, who was turned over at long odds-on in his warm-up for the Festival.

Henderson went on: "He was beaten at 1-14 at Kelso but he hated the ground that day and was in need of the run. It wasn't an ideal preparation, but I am glad we ran him and I have been happy with him at home since."

Binocular was ruled out of this year's renewal at the end of February but a series of veterinary tests found nothing wrong and the JP McManus-owned six-year-old came back into the frame when working under Tony McCoy last week.

His trainer added: "I said he wasn't going to run and he went on his travels but is back now and the key to him is his hurdling. He schooled 12 hurdles last Wednesday and he looked like the old Binocular, he was very, very quick - like an Olympic athlete.

"It was JP's birthday and I called him with the news, but he said AP had already been on sounding like a child with a new toy! I think Binocular will win a Champion Hurdle one year, but I don't know which."