Tinkler waits on Zaynar ride

Andrew Tinkler will have to wait a little longer to find out if he will come in for the dream ride on Zaynar in next month's Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, writes Simon Milham.

With Barry Geraghty delaying to decide whether or not he will stick with last year's winner Punjabi or partner Triumph Hurdle hero Zaynar, Tinkler has received backing from the grey's part-owner, bookmaker Victor Chandler.

"I would like to see Andrew get the ride if Barry does decide to go with Punjabi," said Chandler.

"He rode him well when they won the Ascot Hurdle in November and he deserves another shot."

Under his regular partner Geraghty, ante-post favourite Zaynar lost his unbeaten record in muddy conditions at Kelso recently. And now the jockey accepts he has a difficult choice to make between the Nicky Henderson-trained pair.

Geraghty said: "There's not much between them but they both show great battling qualities. Let's see how Punjabi gets on at Kempton tomorrow."

Currently a 10-1 shot for the Champion Hurdle with Victor Chandler, PUNJABI (1.00pm) has little worthwhile opposition in the Racing Post iphone App HBLB Champion Hurdle Trial and will be restrictive odds to gain his first victory since his Festival triumph.

Top weight Madison Du Berlais' King George VI Chase second is the best recent form in the book in the Racing Post Chase but KILCREA CASTLE (3.05pm), who needed the run when making his first appearance for over three months when third to The Sawyer at Ascot last month, looks good value at 6-1 with William Hill in the three-mile event.