Tougher task awaits classy Zaynar in Ascot encounter

The seven-year-old, trained by Nick Williams, made all the running to win a Grade Two novice event over fences at the Berkshire track a month ago but faces a different task this time.

It will be a first time in handicap company for Zaynar, whose part-owner bookmaker Victor Chandler is the race sponsor.

“I was really impressed with him at Ascot. He jumped for fun. He loves the track and it’s probably his favourite. He won over hurdles there as well as over fences,” said the Saltburn-based jockey who rode a double at Southwell yesterday.

“He’s a proven top novice chaser. Obviously it’s different in handicap company first time over fences. He got an easy lead in his novice race but in such a competitive handicap, he might not get such an easy lead.

“They might put it to him but hopefully he has the class and that will stand him in good stead and he’ll jump like he did the other day.

“Hopefully, he’ll be in the same form as he was when he won the other day.”

Zaynar came to prominence when winning the 2009 Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham before showing his liking for Ascot the following November in landing the Coral Ascot Hurdle under Malton-born Andrew Tinkler.

Third in the 2010 Champion Hurdle, the grey’s form has since faltered and Zaynar switched to the Williams yard from Nicky Henderson’s stable in order to pursue a new career as a novice chaser.

This Saturday’s race will go a long way towards determining whether he has the class to take on the likes of Peddlers Cross and Al Ferof in the Arkle Trophy at this year’s Cheltenham National Hunt Festival.

Meanwhile Vulcanite staked his claim for a place in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham with an effortless victory at Southwell yesterday.

“He had to go and win like that if he’s any pretensions for Cheltenham and he won very easily,” winning trainer Charlie Longsdon said afterwards.

In other Festival news, defending champion Hurricane Fly is among 27 horses entered for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 13.

Willie Mullins’s excellent hurdler has not been seen since his emphatic win at the Punchestown Festival last May, but is due to reappear in the Irish Champion Hurdle next weekend. He is one of seven entries from the Irish trainer’s yard.

Nicky Henderson is another with multiple entries. Spirit Son, 2010 champion Binocular, last year’s third Oscar Whisky and the improving Grandouet comprise his strong squad.

Henderson’s stable jockey Barry Geraghty, meanwhile, still retains plenty of faith in Bobs Worth, despite his defeat at the hands of a Tom Scudamore-inspired Grands Crus in the Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Bobs Worth has had a wind operation since then and is likely to have one more run before the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.

“I thought he did well to run as well as he did at Kempton,” said Geraghty.

“He just wasn’t 100 per cent. I suppose with it being a quicker track he was under pressure a little bit early.

“He’s a high-class horse and was a high-class hurdler – I wouldn’t underestimate him – but I’d like to think there’s better to come.”