Twister blows hot about Khyber :: Horse Racing News

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02:24 Friday 10th February 2012

Updated: 15th March 2010

Twister blows hot about Khyber

PA News

Khyber Kim is reported to be in tremendous form as he bids to land his third course win of the season in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge has really hit top gear this campaign, taking the Greatwood and Boylesports International Hurdles in great style.

"He's absolutely great and I couldn't be happier with him. All the others seems to have had small problems but he hasn't and he's in great nick," Twiston-Davies told At The Races.

"In the past seasons he's run well first time and lost his way. He ran well first time when he won, then three weeks later he ran even better, both at Cheltenham. He's in great nick and that's all past him. We've brought him here nice and fresh and as well as we can ever imagine."

Nicky Henderson is fearful of the challenge posed by Khyber Kim - despite playing a three-strong hand with Punjabi, Zaynar and Binocular - and said: "Khyber Kim is the horse I am most afraid of. I used to have him as a novice and Mick Fitzgerald said he could win a Champion Hurdle and an Ascot Gold Cup as he is that good.

"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 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. I think Binocular will win a Champion Hurdle one year, but I don't know which."