Zaynar's ready to be a world beater

Zaynar can take the next step towards the top of the staying hurdle division when he makes his seasonal reappearance at Ascot on Saturday, insist connections of the powerful grey.

The five-year-old will begin his quest to dethrone dual World Hurdler Big Buck's when he runs in the Coral Hurdle, a race he won last year.

Trained by Nicky Henderson, Zaynar was third to Binocular in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and he will be campaigned over further than two miles this season, starting in the Grade 2 event over an extended 2m 3f.

Victor Chandler, bookmaker and co-owner of the five-times' winner, said: "Zaynar is bigger and stronger this season and we are also hoping that he is a fair bit better too.

"He is currently on target for Ascot on Saturday and we would be more than hopeful that he can repeat last season's victory in the race.

"Plans are fluid but we would perhaps follow a similar route to last season with the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in December again on his agenda, before we look for another prep race ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.