Henderson blames 'bounce' factor

Nicky Henderson has drawn a line under Khyber Kim’s flop at Doncaster, putting it down to the ’bounce’ factor.

The former smart Flat performer burst on to the hurdling scene with an effortless win at Newbury but was beaten a long way out a month later on Town Moor.

And while revealing nothing has come to light to explain that disappointing run, Henderson is still aiming at the Cheltenham Festival.

“He won’t run again before Cheltenham,” said Henderson. I’m not too worried and we’ve got our theories but there’s nothing wrong with him.

“I think you just go back to the second run after a long layoff.

“It still seems to affect them regardless of how long there is between the two races. I’m going to put it down to that and leave it alone.

“That was not the same horse that was at Newbury so it’s my job to get the horse that won at Newbury to Cheltenham,” he told Racing UK.

Khyber Kim is still a 12-1 chance with Blue Square for the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.