Henderson fears one that got away as he launches Champion Hurdle treble assault

But it is the horse that got away, Khyber Kim, that Henderson most fears in today's wide open race for hurdling's top honours – with at least eight contenders having strong hands and Ireland's hope, Go Native, in line to win a 1m bonus.

Khyber Kim was stabled at Henderson's Seven Barrows yard during his novice campaign in 2007-08 but has spent the last season-and-a-half with Nigel Twiston-Davies.

The eight-year-old has proved a revelation in his two most recent starts by claiming the scalps of the re-opposing Medermit, Punjabi and Celestial Halo over course and distance.

Henderson said: "Khyber Kim is the horse I am most afraid of. I used to have him as a novice and I remember Mick Fitzgerald said at the time the horse could win a Champion Hurdle and an Ascot Gold Cup as he is that good."

Khyber Kim is a general 8-1 chance to prevail, while last year's Champion Hurdle winner Punjabi is just a point shorter after proving his well-being at Kempton last month.

"Punjabi might lack sex appeal, but he has won the race before and wears a crown that says Champion Hurdle on it," said Henderson.

Barry Geraghty remains loyal to Punjabi, with Malton-born Andrew Tinkler aboard last year's Triumph Hurdle winner Zaynar, who was turned over at long odds-on in his warm-up for the Festival.

Henderson said: "He was beaten at 1-14 at Kelso but he hated the ground that day and was in need of the run. It wasn't an ideal preparation, but I am glad we ran him and I have been happy with him at home since."

In-form Tinkler is certainly riding with confidence. "I think on better ground he'll come out with a bit more zest and a bit more speed and apparently he's in good form at home," said the rider who won at Ascot on Zaynar last November.

"His schooling went well the other morning and he's a very, very good ride to get."

Binocular was touched off by a neck and a head from Punjabi and Celestial Halo 12 months ago, and was ruled out of this year's renewal at the end of February.

However, a series of veterinary tests found nothing wrong and the JP McManus-owned six-year-old came back into the frame when working under Tony McCoy last week.

"He schooled 12 hurdles last Wednesday and he looked like the old Binocular, he was very, very quick – like an Olympic athlete," added Henderson. "It was JP's birthday and I called him with the news, but he said AP had already been on sounding like a child with a new toy! I think Binocular will win a Champion Hurdle one year, but I don't know which."

Celestial Halo is back to improve on his narrow defeat but owner Andy Stewart is not expecting fireworks from his

10-1 chance.

He said: "I think you can put a line through last year's one-two-three as they have not really franked the form since.

"Go Native sets the standard and he is the one we have got to beat."

Indeed, Noel Meade's Go Native, in a wide open Champion Hurdle, is the one with least questions to answer.

Last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero appeared destined for mediocrity when beaten by Voler La Vedette at Down Royal in November but Meade was the first to admit he had under-cooked his charge that day.

An impressive victory in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle tends to give that theory plenty of weight and he proved that was no fluke when landing the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

Those two victories put him in line to claim the WBX.com Triple Crown bonus and Meade has kept his charge off the track since to purposely have him cherry-ripe for the final leg.

While you can expect to see Paul Carberry – a one-time stable jockey to West Witton trainer Ferdy Murphy – playing a trademark waiting game up the Cheltenham hill, Go Native should have too much speed and class for his rivals.

What Go Native supporters will not be hoping for, however, is a repeat of the 2005 Champion Hurdle when Carberry appeared to have the race at its mercy aboard the Meade-trained Harchibald before the tank emptied and the indomitable Hardy Eustace clung on.

It is why this is the one race of the Festival which is never determined until the shadow of the winning post comes into sight.