Nicky Henderson is not expecting fireworks from Punjabi when the Champion Hurdler takes in the Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle.
Henderson left with no option but to head for Wincanton
Nicky Henderson is not expecting fireworks from Punjabi when the Champion Hurdler takes in the Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle on Saturday.
Providing the meeting beats the elements, conditions are sure to ride testing at Wincanton, which would not be in the horse's favour.
The seven-year-old finished third in the race 12 months ago prior to winning at Cheltenham, but Henderson - who is smarting from the defeat of Zaynar on Thursday - believes his charge is in better shape this time around.
"It's not exactly been a great week but Punjabi is straighter than he was this time last year having had a run at Haydock," he said.
"The heavy ground will not suit him but where else do you go?
Gallop
"It'll be very annoying if Wincanton is off having had the arrangements in place for the race to be run at Ascot.
"If Wincanton is off, he'll definitely go somewhere for a racecourse gallop before the Champion Hurdle."
With stable jockey due to ride at Ascot, Felix de Giles will be in the plate, but Tony Stafford, racing manager to owner Raymond Tooth, does not believe this will be a problem.
"We've got a switch in jockey but Felix rode the horse to finish second in the totesport Trophy a couple of years ago and is close to the horse in the yard," said Stafford.
"This race has been the plan for a while and hopefully he runs well enough for Barry to consider riding him at Cheltenham.
"Obviously Zaynar was beaten at Kelso, but I actually think he ran into a very good horse there in Quwetwo."
Happy
Regarding Zaynar, Henderson admitted he was pleased to find out that the grey was not as fit as he had thought at Kelso, rather than at Cheltenham next month.
"I suppose you could compare what happened with Zaynar yesterday to what happened to Punjabi before he won the Champion Hurdle last year," said Henderson.
"The horse stayed in Kelso overnight so I haven't seen him yet, but did I wake up this morning and wish I hadn't run? The answer is no.
"When I arrived at Kelso, I would have been happy to send him straight for the Champion Hurdle and wouldn't have bothered with another run.
"I thought he was working well at home but he blew up and Barry (Geraghty) said if we hadn't ran him, he would have blown up at the top of the hill at Cheltenham, never mind at the second last.
"The ground wasn't ideal and there was mud all the way up his white legs. They obviously think the world of the winner and I have no regrets about running."
