Tinkler set to discover if dream ride is his

ONE jockey will have more than a passing interest when Punjabi, the reigning Champion Hurdle victor, completes his Cheltenham preparations today at Kempton.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Feb 2010, 23:27 BST
Updated 26th Feb 2010, 23:27 BST

Even though he will not be in the saddle, the performance is likely to determine whether Malton-born Andrew Tinkler will enjoy a dream ride in next month's Champion Hurdle aboard one of Nicky Henderson's stable stars.

The current thinking is that stable jockey Barry Geragthy will stay loyal to Punjabi – provided that he passes the Kempton test today – and prompt Henderson to seek another rider for Zaynar, the brilliant grey surprisingly defeated in Kelso's bog-like going 10 days ago.

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The likely beneficiary is Tony McCoy, the 14-times champion jockey. But last night the bookmaker Victor Chandler, one of Zaynar's co-owners, said he would like Tinkler, 24, to ride last year's Triumph Hurdle winner.

Tinkler was in the saddle when Zaynar won at Ascot last November and Chandler added: "I would like to see Andrew get the ride if Barry does decide to go with Punjabi."

Tom George reports Nacarat to be in top-top shape as the grey bids to land back-to-back victories in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton.

Nacarat put up a superb display of jumping to beat Possol by nine lengths last February under McCoy and the horse's preparation could not have gone better. Top weight is Kempton specialist Madison Du Berlais who will wear blinkers for the first time.

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"A noseband and cheekpieces brought lots of improvement and if blinkers can do the same, then you never know," said trainer David Pipe.

TODAY'S valuable Eider Chase card at Newcastle has been abandoned because of waterlogging.