BARRY GERAGHTY believes Punjabi will run a big race in Saturday’s sportingbet.com Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock Park.

The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old landed the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last year and was among the 34 entries for the Smurfit-Kappa-sponsored Festival feature on March 16.

Punjabi is a 10-1 chance with totesport, Blue Square, Stan James and Victor Chandler for the Champion Hurdle with stable-mate Zaynar, Go Native and Solwhit vying for favouritism with most firms.

Punjabi was beaten a short head by Solwhit in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown back in May following his Cheltenham victory. And Raymond Tooth’s gelding needed the run when fourth to Khyber Kim on his seasonal reappearance in the Boylesports.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

But Geraghty said: “He ran well in Cheltenham and he should improve from that run,” said Geraghty.

Zaynar is among the nine runners in Saturday’s Grade Two trial at Haydock, while Alan King’s Medermit is also expected to line up – although he is concerned about the expected heavy conditions at the Merseyside track.

King said: “Medermit is only a possibly for the Champion Hurdle Trial up there.

“I’d like to run him and might well do so, but the ground will not suit us and I will have to monitor the weather in the next 48 hours.”

Meanwhile Geraghty has been booked to ride Diamond Harry in the sportingbet.com Altcar Novices’ Chase at Haydock.

With regular partner Timmy Murphy due to ride at Ascot, trainer Nick Williams has turned to Gergahty to partner the high-class hurdler, who will make debut over fences.

Geraghty said: “It’s definitely a nice ride to pick up and I’ve also got others to look forward to on Saturday.”