Geraghty confidence in Punjabi Barry Geraghty believes Punjabi has been underestimated ahead of his bid for back-to-back victories in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle. Geraghty felt he could not desert Raymond Tooth's gelding for stablemate Zaynar and reports the seven-year-old to be in tip-top form. "There is no way I could desert Punjabi when you consider what he's achieved and more important - how he is right now," he said. "He looks well, feels well and just seems to be telling you that this is his time of year. I was going through the race again yesterday morning and whichever way you look at it, he's going to be bang there." "He'll come up that hill and knows what it takes to win and I'm beginning to think he's been an undervalued Champion Hurdler. He has a real big chance." "As for the opposition, you couldn't have any confidence in Solwhit after his problems. I still see Go Native as my biggest threat - especially now that the ground is drying which will really suit him. And with 12 runners there shouldn't be any traffic problems." "Khyber Kim comes right into it as an improving horse and, as you know, it wasn't easy for me to desert Zaynar. He'll be right there but stamina is his strength and the Champion Hurdle is run on a much sharper course than the Triumph on Friday."
