Geraghty set to stick with Punjabi

NICKY HENDERSON expects Barry Geraghty to remain loyal to Punjabi and pick last weekend’s facile Kempton winner over Zaynar in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.

The duo were the headline acts paraded before the cameras at Henderson’s Lambourn yard yesterday for a Cheltenham Festival open day and the trainer displayed an infectious enthusiasm for the current title holder.

Despite being without success since his narrow Cheltenham success 12 months ago, Punjabi got back on the winning trail on Saturday and is 11-1 with totesport to retain his crown.