Zaynar wins battle of greys in Triumph

Barry Geraghty and Nicky Henderson were back in the winner's enclosure as Zaynar confirmed form with Walkon 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.

Mourad stayed on well for third with Starluck failing to get up the hill in fourth.

Ebadiyan made sure the race was run at its usual frenetic pace with Walkon also prominent early.

However, on the run to the second-last flight Oliver Brady's Ebadiyan 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 proved founded 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.

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's a special day, The Queen's here (for Barbers Shop in the Gold Cup) and we've started well."