Henderson hoping for Zaynar repeat Nicky Henderson is looking forward to seeing his talented grey Zaynar defend his crown in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday. The 2009 Triumph Hurdle winner coped well with the step up into all-age company last season, winning this Grade Two prize before landing the Relkeel Hurdle and finishing third in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. A step up to three miles to challenge current staying champion Big Buck's could be on the cards this time around, but his trainer sees this weekend's race as the perfect starting point. "Zaynar is in good shape. I'm very happy with him, and he and Binocular do a lot of their work together - there's not much between them," said Henderson. "If everything went well, he would go to the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham and were he to win that, I think he would go over three miles at the Festival." Eight runners have been declared, with champion trainer Paul Nicholls saddling unbeaten novice Silviniaco Conti. Last year's runner-up Karabak chances his arm again for Alan King, while Robin Dickin saddles his pride and joy Restless Harry. Won In The Dark is the sole Irish challenger, while Ashkazar, Black Jack Blues and veteran Lough Derg complete the field. Restless Harry was far from disgraced in finishing third under a big weight at Chepstow on his seasonal reappearance and his trainer is excited about both the weekend and the season ahead. "We were happy enough with his run at Chepstow and now he's going to take on the big boys for the first time," said Dickin. "The ground is going to be good to soft, which will be fine. I know he has a lot to find on figures but I ran him lots of times as a novice when the numbers said he couldn't possibly win and he went and won. "He's beaten some very good horses, but this is a type of race and a type of situation I'm certainly not used to being in myself. "I'm sure the horse is having less trouble dealing with it than I am! "If after the race we have the dilemma of whether we go for long-distance races or for the Champion (Hurdle), that would be a lovely position to be in. "We've left no stone unturned and he is in in magnificent order." Karabak makes his first racecourse appearance since disappointing at the Punchestown Festival, and Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, is confident of a bold show. "Alan is very happy with him and he goes there in good shape," said Berry. "He's meeting Zaynar a little bit better at the weights than last year. He ran a good race then and hopefully he's capable of doing the same thing tomorrow. "I'd say anything from this trip to three miles is fine for him and Alan's having a great run."
