Champion Hurdle still on Zaynar radar

Nicky Henderson expects Zaynar to be lining up in the Champion Hurdle in March, despite him running in the Unicoin Homes Relkeel Hurdle on Saturday.

Having won at Ascot over two miles and three and a half furlongs to maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles, Henderson has stepped him up in trip again by another furlong.

However, Henderson believes the Triumph Hurdle winner will be lining up with the big guns come the Festival.

“It seems the obvious race but I’m sure Alan King thinks the same for his horses (Karabak and Shalone), it’s two and a half miles for last season’s novices, it’s just a natural stepping stone,” said Henderson.

“He got the trip well at Ascot and I’ve always thought that might be his trip rather than two miles, but he’s got the speed for two miles and I would hope and think he’s got to get that back by March because I expect he’ll be dropping to two miles then,” he told At The Races.