Punjabi on course for Fighting Fifth return Punjabi's preparation is stepping up a gear before his attempt to retain the WBX.COM "Fighting Fifth" Hurdle. Nicky Henderson's white-faced gelding claimed the Champion Hurdle last season and could have earned a £1million bonus from the betting exchange sponsors, if not for falling in the Christmas Hurdle. He was beaten a short head by Solwhit on his final start at Punchestown, but is reported in top trim for the November 28th assignment at Newcastle. "Punjabi's progress since coming back in has been more than satisfactory, his enthusiasm for work never changing," Tony Stafford, racing manager for owner Raymond Tooth, told WBX Triple Crown's official website. "With three and a half weeks to go to Newcastle, the heavy rain over the past weekend could not have been better timed for the Henderson horses to get onto the grass gallops after the dearth of autumn rain. "The not-so-old boy should, accidents apart, be primed to run a big race on his first competitive race at Newcastle. "All we can do now is sit and wait and keep our collective fingers crossed."
