Punjabi primed for Champion Hurdle prep

NICKY Henderson believes Punjabi is in better shape now than he was 12 months ago as he prepares to complete his Champion Hurdle preparations at Wincanton today, weather permitting.

The seven-year-old was effectively written off for last year’s Champion Hurdle having been beaten into third in the Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle, but then powered up the Cheltenham hill to take the hurdling crown.

Henderson’s charge is again a double figure price for the Festival having been beaten on both of his starts this season and the Seven Barrows handler admits the testing conditions at Wincanton, should the meeting pass a morning inspection, will not be in his favour.