Zaynar delights Henderson

Nicky Henderson expects Zaynar to be back to his best for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham in just over two weeks' time, despite a three-month absence from the track.

The six-year-old, who won the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival two years ago and finished third in the Champion Hurdle behind stablemate Binocular last season, has not run since he was a tame fourth to Karabak in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in December.

It was the powerful grey's second below-par display of the season, having also finished a disappointing fourth in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot in November, and he subsequently underwent a breathing operation.

Henderson said: "It is really just the re-do of an old operation - it was a minor thing. He's in good nick and I'm very happy with him.

"He had a racecourse gallop yesterday, just a spin around in the country, and he's taken it well. It's all systems go for the World Hurdle."

Those who believe that the Paul Nicholl's-trained Big Buck's is a certainty to land the stayers' crown on March 17 for a third successive year don't include Ashkazar's owner David Johnson.