Zaynar wins JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham

Zaynar confirmed form with Walkon as he presented jockey Barry Geraghty and trainer Nicky Henderson with another high-profile success in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The two had met earlier in the season at Newbury but many expected Alan King’s Walkon to turn the tables as he was meeting the Henderson inmate on 7lb better terms.

However, fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, the son of Daylami found plenty for pressure up the hill and battled gamely for a famous victory.

Ebadiyan made sure the race was run at its usual frenetic pace with Walkon also prominent early, but on the run to the second-last flight Oliver Brady’s charge dived out through the wing.

By this time Geraghty had taken over at the head of affairs but Timmy Murphy was stalking menacingly on Starluck.

Unfortunately for his connections the fears about the Cheltenham hill were realised and it was left to the tough Walkon to lay down the challenge.

After the last it looked as if the 4-1 favourite would take over but Zaynar, an 11-2 chance, powered away to win by three-quarters of a length.

Mourad claimed third, a further two and three-quarter lengths adrift.

Geraghty and Henderson have enjoyed a memorable week with Punjabi and Binocular finishing first and third in the Champion Hurdle respectively, and Victor Chandler offer 12-1 about Zaynar’s chances in the blue riband next year.

Geraghty said: “He’s very tough. When Oliver Brady’s horse ran out at the second-last he left me in front which wasn’t ideal, but he was only doing enough.

“He was always finding. He hasn’t had that much experience but he had a lot in the tank.”

Henderson added: “It was a good race, they are two tough four-year-olds, they gave everything.

“I just feel a bit sorry for Kingy because they’ve run against each other before and that is where the form for the race came from.

“We knew he’d stay. I just didn’t know what was going to happen when he got tackled but he was very brave.

“He only had two runs on the Flat so you’d hope there’s more to come.

“I think you can safely say that will be it for the year because Aintree wouldn’t be his track. I think he’ll be a really nice horse next year.”

King has endured a few near misses this week, not least with Voy Por Ustedes in the Ryanair Chase, but he was not too disheartened.

He said: “He’s run a hell of a race, like most of our team have this week.

“I thought we would win going to the last but to be fair, the winner picked up again as we came to him.

“I’m very pleased but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little frustrated and I see no reason why we can’t go on to Aintree.”

Willie Mullins is now planning a trip to Punchestown next month with third-placed Mourad.

He added: “I was delighted with his run. On the basis of that I ought to take him to Punchestown.

“He just flattened the last a bit but it didn’t make any difference at all.”