Geraghty set to partner Punjabi

Barry Geraghty is very likely to ride Punjabi in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 16th.

Geraghty partnered the Nicky Henderson charge to glory in the Festival feature last year.

But this time round he had been expected to take the mount on stablemate Binocular, before he was ruled out with a muscle problem.

That left a straight choice between Punjabi and last year's Triumph Hurdle winner Zaynar, and it looks likely the jockey will plump for the former.

Henderson said on Monday: "Barry Geraghty is very likely to ride Punjabi. Nothing's set in stone but I'd imagine that's the way we'll go. I spoke to Dave Roberts (Tony McCoy's agent) and AP is on standby to ride whichever one is free."

Zaynar lost ante-post favouritism for the Champion when being beaten at long odds-on at Kelso last month. And it now looks as though he'll have McCoy's assistance at Prestbury Park.

When asked whether McCoy would school the grey ahead of the Festival, Henderson said: "I'd imagine he has done before. I would imagine he's likely to have a sit on him before Cheltenham. The cheekpieces will go back on Zaynar in the Champion."